close up, lost place 6th, behind when pulled up before next
in touch to halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, pushed along 5th, soon outpaced
in touch, headway 7th, pushed along 2 out, ridden to lead between last 2, kept on
mid-division, pushed along 4 out, outpaced next
led to 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
towards rear, pushed along 6th, outpaced 3 out, kept on one pace after next, no impression on leading pair
mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, no further progress
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led 5th, headed between last 2, kept on
towards rear, never dangerous
Taralive can take this poor opener ahead of Seveneightsix and Frankincense. The trip and ground are fine for the eleven-year-old who has had plenty of experience over timber and whilst he has perhaps not been the most frequent of winners, there is no doubt that he still retains some ability, proven by his good second on his penultimate start at Uttoxeter. Named At Dinner warrants respect as a course and distance winner and this capable dual performer should go well with cheek-pieces tried once again. Frankincense isn't the most consistent but he is certainly capable if on a going day, especially as he has proven a liking for the North in the past. Flower Haven is yet to score in 21 starts and that run looks likely to continue, whilst Inchduaig is also winless in plenty of starts but has shown glimpses of ability in the past. A weak contest, and the most tenetative of votes goes to Talarive.
Talarive (USA) 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led after 8th, headed before 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 14l behind Willie The Fish (10-6) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Inchdhuaig (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden, weakened 3 out, 12th of 14, well behind Atticus Boy (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Sept.
Frankincense (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 11, 35l behind Not Today Sir (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Cheery Martyr 10-1 (10-5) Chased leaders to halfway, soon beaten, 11th of 12, 40l behind Andijan (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hdl (5) frm in Aug.
Flower Haven 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 16, well behind Pauls Plain (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Named At Dinner 4-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on from next, no impression, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Bamby (10-8) at Perth 2m 4f sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Little Paddy (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Mistakes, always behind, pulled up before last pulled up 2 out in race won by Hollows Mist (10-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf, 11 ran.
C'Est La Vie 33-1 (10-2) Towards rear and plugged on, 9th of 15, 22l behind Sahara Prince (11-0) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Millie The Filly 12-1 (9-11) In touch, lost place halfway, soon behind, 15th of 16, 49l behind Snow's Ride (11-7) at Kelso 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct. Later dsq to last.
Rexmehead (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, lost touch before 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Prince De Bersy (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept, 12 ran.
Scarrabus (IRE) 80-1 (10-0) Held up, pushed along 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 16, 22l behind Snow's Ride (11-7) at Kelso 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Seveneightsix (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Mid-division, mistake 3 out, weakening when hit last, 6th of 12, 13l behind New Time (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Oct.
Beau Peak 66-1 (9-7) Always behind, 8th of 12, well behind El Andaluz (11-7) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.