chased leaders on inside, outpaced in 4th when ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, tailed off
tracked leaders to before 3 out, soon ridden, remote 5th before next, stayed on under pressure flat, almost snatched well held 3rd final strides
behind, mistake and unseated rider 2nd
towards rear, blundered 3rd and again next, soon eased, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leader, led before 2 out, driven clear between last 2, in no danger after, eased towards finish, very easily
chased leaders to 4th, behind when not fluent 4 out, fell next
always behind, driven briefly after 3rd, reminders after next, never involved
led to before 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with front pair between last 2, just held on for modest 3rd final strides
always behind, lost touch after 4 out, soon pulled up
chased leaders on outside to after 2nd, soon towards rear, reminders after 4th, plugged on from last, never a threat
mid-division, headway to track front pair after 4 out, went 2nd when ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no threat to easy winner
NonRunner
Xpo Universel returned to winning ways at Carlisle last time but the testing ground may have contributed to his wide-margin success and he's penalised for this. Age Of Glory was raised 5lb for winning at Wetherby at the end of last year while EMPIRE DE MAULDE will have benefited for last month's reappearance at Newcastle. James Ewart's dual bumper winner faded out of contention in the closing stages on that occasion but better is expected now handicapping for the first time and he gets the vote. Las Tunas ran well over fences at Ayr recently while Ballynanty and Thepensionfund have more scope than most.
Empire De Maulde (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Led, hit 3 out, headed approaching next, kept on same pace, ridden and hung right run-in, no chance with winner, weakened into 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 10 1/2l behind Weather Front (11-5) at Newcastle 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Newstart (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off, 9th of 14, 29 3/4l behind Saint Freule (10-13) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Ballynanty (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, mistake 1st and 5 out, headway before 3 out, chased leaders next, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Richard Strauss (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Thepensionfund (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place before 3 out, pulled up after next, at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Xpo Universel (FR) 20-1 (10-0) With leader, led 4th, headed narrowly 5 out, driven after 3 out, led again last, forged clear flat, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Dec beating Kelpies Myth (11-12) by 12l, 12 ran.
Bogardus (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Morning Skye (9-9) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
No Boundaries (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten, 12th of 19, 32 1/2l behind Take A Break (11-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Jokers And Rogues (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 20l behind Roxyfet (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Wishing Well 33-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, weakened after 2 out, tailed off, 11th of 14, dist behind Saint Freule (10-13) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Prince Dundee (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, not fluent and lost place 4th, no danger after, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 23 1/2l behind Return Ticket (11-2) at Ayr 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
Las Tunas (FR) 9-2 (10-10) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 6th, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Casual Cavalier (11-10) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Age Of Glory 14-1 (11-11) Behind, headway 6 out, led 3 out, kept on, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Jan beating Cafe Au Lait (11-8) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
