close up, lost place before 9th, headway 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on and held towards finish
tracked leaders and keen, led 4 out, kept on well from last
led, headed 4 out, weakened before last, pulled up before last
held up in touch, lost place before 7th, headway before 4 out, went 3rd from 3 out, kept on
in rear, mistake 5 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, reminders before 6 out, weakened next, pulled up before last
Wakhan was only beaten a nose at Kelso last time, when Hallmark Star was well behind, and deserves a change of fortune. But he's gone up another couple of pounds and may not represent much in the way of value. MILAN ROYALE didn't have the pace to stay with easy winner Shine A Diamond over a shorter trip here last time but a line through fifth Some Lad suggests he should have the beating of Wakhan over this longer trip. Course winner Samson Collonges usually needs a few runs to put him straight and could find this on the sharp side nowadays.
Hallmark Star 5-1 (11-7) Towards rear, pushed along and headway before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, 21l behind Some Lad (10-7) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Milan Royale 8-1 (10-9) Tracked winner, ridden run-in, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Shine A Diamond (10-13) at Hexham 2m hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Oct.
Odds On Dan (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) In rear, weakened from 8th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Montoya's Son (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct, 7 ran.
Wakhan (IRE) 10-3fav (10-2) Towards rear, mistake 1st, headway to go 4th before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead last 50 yards, caught post, 2nd of 9, ns behind Some Lad (10-7) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Samson Collonges (FR) 6-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, jumped slowly 8th, went close 2nd last, stayed on flat, no impression on winner final 150 yards, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Gibbstown (11-1) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft in Mar.
Mardood 33-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, ridden before 2 out, no impression, 6th of 13, well behind Brave Spartacus (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
