chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on
chased leaders, lost place 2 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, jumped right 8th, headway 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
chased winner, every chance 8th, weakened after 2 out
made all, not fluent 3 out, clear before last, ridden out
held up in mid-division, mistake 1st and 8th, well beaten before 3 out
in rear, behind 8th, went remote 5th latter stages, no chance
not jump well, always behind, pulled up before last
Plenty of winning course form here and Southeast Rose shouldn't be too inconvenienced by a 5lb rise after a comfortable victory on the track last month. Skipping On loves testing ground and though he's better over further these days the conditions will play to his strengths. DUNLY completed a double over fences in January and reappeared with a fine run over hurdles here last month. Regular partner Brian Hughes is again in the saddle and James Ewart's charge can get back to winning ways. Winning point-to-pointer Nettlebush showed his first sign of form over fences here last month and won't need much more to get into contention.
Skipping On (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, not always fluent, mistake 4 out, headway 3 out, disputing 2nd flat, kept on, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Diamond Brig (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Dunly (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Prominent, 2nd jumping 2 out, ridden before last, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Evita Du Mesnil (10-12) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Wor Verge 7-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, modest headway 8th, hit 4 out, ridden in midfield 3 out, one pace from last, 4th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Southeast Rose (10-8) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Southeast Rose (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Prominent behind clear leaders, close up 6th, kicked clear before last, hard ridden to maintain lead flat, held on, won at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Nettlebush (10-6) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Casimir Du Clos (FR) 11-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, ridden 5 out but responded to maintain prominent position, mistake 2 out and stayed on at one pace, 3rd of 10, 21 1/2l behind Armattiekan (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Nettlebush (IRE) 22-1 (10-6) Held up, headway when not fluent 2 out, moved into 2nd last, stayed on but could not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Southeast Rose (10-8) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Roll Of Thunder 14-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, nudged along before 7th, made some headway before 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 12 1/4l behind Cybalko (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Muilean Na Madog (IRE) 13-8fav (10-3) In rear, pushed along when bumped and nearly fell 4 out, pulled up soon after 2 out, at Fakenham 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.