chased leader, hit 2nd, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, ridden out
held up, headway and hit 4th, led 8th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
chased leaders, outpaced from 7th
led and clear until headed 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, reminders after 8th, struggling from next
held up in rear, headway to take close order 4 out, chased leader next until one pace between last 2
held up, steady headway from 10th, chased winner approaching last, kept on
Twelve Paces put earlier disappointing efforts behind him when running out a comfortable winner at Kelso last time but a 10lb rise for that seems harsh and Peter Monteith's gelding may have to settle for minor honours behind the lightly raced COMPANERO, who gets the vote ahead of Tighten Your Belt. The last mentioned ran better when last seen in May but lack of a recent run should not be of too much concern with Don McCain's stable beginning to hit form and he has claims off what seems a fair mark. Stable companion Fair Question has the benefit of a recent run and is the mount of Graham Lee but he was well held on his reappearance at Kelso and looks best watched. It is to be hoped that Scarvagh Diamond jumps better today than when last seen here in May and Nicky Richards' gelding has to be respected back over hurdles, while Hasanpour has more to do than when winning at Huntingdon last time. The vote then goes to Howard Johnson's Companero who showed progressive form over hurdles last term, prior to making a winning reappearance on his chasing debut earlier this month. He is taken to follow up back over hurdles off what seems a fair mark.
Companero (IRE) 10-11fav (11-3) Led to 4th, chased leader, hit 6th, mistake 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Carlisle 3m beg chs (4) gs beating Nine De Sivola (11-3) by 3l, 4 ran.
Tighten Your Belt (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) In touch, not much room, lost place 5th, stayed on on long run-in, 3rd of 15, 11l behind Schindlers Son (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in May.
Huka Lodge (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Led to 2nd, weakened approaching 9th, tailed off, 6th of 10, 26l behind The Gangerman (10-10) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Oct.
Fair Question (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 13, 38l behind Twelve Paces (9-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Scarvagh Diamond (IRE) 7-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, close 3rd when fell at the 12th in race won by Autograph (10-5) at Hexham 3m 1f chs (4) hvy in May, 5 ran.
Political Paddy 9-2 (10-5) Tracked leader, every chance 2 out, soon led, hit and headed last, no extra flat, 4th of 11, 5l behind Merrydown (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Twelve Paces 12-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead approaching 4 out, driven clear from last, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft beating Echo Point (11-12) by 11l, 13 ran.
Hasanpour (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance 2 out, stayed on to lead after last, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs beating Toulouse-Lautrec (10-3) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
