tracked leader, left in lead 6th, headed next, led when jumped slowly 3 out, stumbled 2 out, joined last, soon headed, carried right and being leant on thereafter, just held, finished 2nd, placed 1st
took keen hold, held up, left close 2nd 6th, led next until 3 out, soon beaten
held up, left close 3rd 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden to challenge when mistake last, soon led and hung right, leant on rival therafter, ridden out, finished 1st, demoted to 2nd
MEDERMIT looks to have scared off most of the meaningful opposition and can take this race en route to much more illustrious prizes. Currently one of the market leaders for the Arkle, a clear round will be the aim for Alan King's charge this afternoon. Harry Tricker will be no soft touch. A winner at Folkestone on fencing debut, he was second to Khyber Kim in last year's Greatwood Hurdle. Sergeant Pink hails from a yard that have been in exceptional form of late. Hi Tide is officially rated at 109 and that should not be good enough if all goes to plan.
Harry Tricker 9-4 (11-4) Held up off the pace, closed after 7th, went 2nd when hit 3 out, led before next, clear last, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gd in Sep beating Pagan Sword (10-11) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Medermit (FR) 1-5fav (11-2) Tracked leader, challenged 4 out, led narrowly when blundered and left well clear next, unextended, won at Aintree 2m nov chs (3) gs in Oct beating Alaskan Prince (11-2) by well, 3 ran.
Hi Tide (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, soon in touch, under pressure 6th, soon weakened, 6th of 7, well behind Chain Of Command (11-2) at Kempton 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Sergeant Pink (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Not fluent, chased leaders until approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Mcmurrough (10-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) hvy in Apr, 13 ran.
