held up mid-division, outpaced from 12th
behind, blundered badly 1st, mistake 5th, pulled up before next
chased leaders, weakened from 3 out
led, blundered 13th, headed 5 out, led again approaching 3 out, left 7 lengths clear 2 out, jumped right last, kept on under pressure run-in
chased leaders, led 5 out, headed approaching 3 out, close 2nd when blundered, unseated rider 2 out
held up in touch, left 2nd 2 out, not fluent last, hung right, lost 2nd place run-in
behind when fell 2nd
chased leader, lost place 10th, soon driven along, pulled up before 14th
always behind, blundered badly 10th, never dangerous
held up in touch, outpaced 14th, rallied 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd run-in
Nonrunner
High Five, a course and distance winner, can land this handicap chase despite a poor performance last time when the distance in excess of 3m seemed to drain his stamina. On an easier surface today High Five can add to that victory two starts ago. Dickie Lewis and Sports Express are likely to provide stiff opposition though. Dickie Lewis bids for a hat-trick here having landed two handicap hurdles off 85, the second unpenalised as his first win was achieved in an event for conditional riders. Off a 6lb lower mark here, an uncontested lead appears key to this horse but drying ground conditions are not likely to suit. Sports Express in contrast will relish any drying conditions that come about. A winner four starts back, he is an in and out performer but in a weak race he should give supporters a run for their money. Bene Lad is unexposed and Timmy Murphy is an eye catching booking while Old Noddy stepped up considerably on what he had previously shown when falling in a similar contest over further in November. A poor contest where a number have chances and High Five is a tentative choice.
Sports Express 4-1fav (10-4) Mid-division, tracked leaders 12th, ridden 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 12, 11l behind Categorical (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f clm chs (3) gs.
Old Noddy (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Led to 5th, tracked leader, ridden 3 out, every chance when blundered next, beaten when fell at the last in race won by Petite Margot (11-7) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
High Five 15-2 (9-11) Mid-division, tracked leaders 9th, hit 12th, ridden from 3 out, beaten from next, 5th of 13, 21l behind Skenfrith (10-3) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Dickie Lewis 9-2 (9-9) Made virtually all, ridden approaching 2 out, clear when mistake last, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy beating Waking Ned (10-10) by 18l, 12 ran.
Bene Lad (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Close up, led 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace from next, 2nd of 13, 18l behind Toy Gun (10-5) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.
Super Boston 22-1 (10-6) Always behind, tailed off when brought down 3 out in race won by Stormont Dawn (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft, 11 ran.
Wensley Blue (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Always behind, 5th of 12, 28l behind High Five (10-0) at Kelso 3m 1f cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan.
Lethem Present (IRE) 7-1 (10-1) Prominent, lost place 6th, ridden 10th, soon weakened and pulled up at the 11th in race won by Stoneriggs Merc (11-2) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp chs (5) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Tipp Mid West (IRE) 50-1 (10-1) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 5th in race won by Woodview (10-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jan, 16 ran.
Solemn Vow 8-1 (10-0) Always behind, reminders halfway, tailed off, 7th of 16, well behind Woodview (10-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.
Springaway 9-1 (9-12) Held up, headway approaching 12th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, 48l behind Sea Cadet (10-12) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Cheers Thank You (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out and weakened from next, 6th of 14, 37l behind Dickie Lewis (11-1) at Kelso 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
