tracked leader, effort 4 out, blundered 2 out, soon ridden, kept on to challenge winner run-in, soon one pace
mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened from next
mid-division, blundered 9th, lost place 12th, pulled up before 14th
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened from last
tracked leaders, unseated rider 4th
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 14th
towards rear, fell 2nd
tracked leaders until weakened 4 out, soon beaten
led, hit 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on gamely run-in
always behind
towards rear, pulled up quickly after 7th
always behind
The vetern Miss Mattie Ross is put forward as a tentative selection ahead of Le Royal and General Hardi. Stamina is likely to be a necessary asset and Miss Mattie Ross certainly has that in abundance. Although advancing in years, the selection's most recent run was encouraging and back down to a BHA mark of 86, can make her presence felt. Le Royal, although not the most consistent, has displayed a respectable level of form througout his career and is put forward to chase home the selection. General Hardi is likely to be thereabouts but like many of his rivals does not find winning easy. However, a reproduction of his most recent run would see him involved. Cetainly not a race to get excited about and the 12 year old Miss Mattie Ross is the selection.
Le Royal (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Always behind, 11th of 14, 39l behind Kealshore Lad (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Willie John Daly (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) Held up mid divison and not fluent, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Keenan's Future (11-9) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec, 8 ran.
Fleetfoot Mac 9-1 (11-5) Chased leaders weakened 6th, behind when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Old Noddy (10-3) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr, 17 ran.
General Hardi 11-2 (11-0) Held up, headway on outside after 5 out, outpaced next, soon ridden, stayed on well from last, no impression, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Hold The Bid (11-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Miss Mattie Ross 12-1 (9-11) Tracked clear leader, driven and outpaced 4 out, ridden next, no impression approaching 2 out, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Pillaging Pict (10-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Norminster 25-1 (10-9) Held up, struggling from 5 out, 11th of 18, well behind Go Johnny (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Oscar Trial (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway and in touch 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 23l behind Hue (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Lethem Present (IRE) 22-1 (10-10) Led, headed 3rd, led again 8th, headed again 10th, lost place from 12th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Mister Jungle (10-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
High Five 16-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, disputed lead 16th, no extra from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Tomillielou (10-10) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec.
Wensley Blue (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, lost place 8th, behind when mistake 10th and pulled up at the 11th in race won by Low Reactor (10-9) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Black Smoke (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, blundered and reminders 7th, behind from 15th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Petite Margot (11-7) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Maringo (FR) 40-1 (10-1) Led to 8th, remained in touch until outpaced 15th, 5th of 14, 34l behind Tomillielou (10-10) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec.
