with leader, led 5th, headed after 2 out, regained lead before last, soon clear, eased towards finish
in rear and in touch, went 3rd before 5th, kept on same pace and no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd until before 5th, soon in rear, weakened next
led to 5th, led again after 2 out, headed before last, one pace and no chance with winner
OCKEY DE NEULLIAC won this last year by 13 lengths under John Winston and proved his well-being by scoring a shade cosily on his reappearance over C&D. He is probably a more reliable prospect than Spear Thistle, though Jim Best's gelding was taking on much better opposition at this time last year and has the proverbial ton in hand on official ratings. Power Pack Jack has won three times over fences but has been out of form this season and has never made the frame in six hurdle runs while Makhzoon has run a couple of stinkers since completing a double at Perth at the start of the summer.
Makhzoon (USA) 22-1 (11-9) Prominent, lost place 4th, well beaten 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bondage (11-3) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sep, 13 ran.
Ockey De Neulliac (FR) 11-4fav (10-9) Behind, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, led after last, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m 4f sell hdl (5) hvy in Oct beating Kack Handed (11-4) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Power Pack Jack (IRE) 7-2 (10-10) In touch, led 7th, headed when hit 10th, outpaced on outside 13th, no chance with leaders after, stayed on to take moderate 4th flat, 4th of 8, 26l behind Rebel Swing (10-13) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Spear Thistle 33-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, pushed along before 6th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 10, well behind Greyfriars Drummer (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
