held up in last pair, headway on outer 3 out (usual 4 out), challenged approaching omitted 2 out, led last, asserted clear flat
mid-division, driven to chase leaders on inside after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden before last, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair
led, headed 3 out (usual 4 out), soon lost place and behind, stayed on to take modest 4th flat
tracked leading pair, challenged 2 out (usual 3 out), lost place bypassing omitted 2 out, soon weakened
held up in last pair, outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden before last, never near leaders
towards rear, tracked leaders 3 out (usual 4 out), led bypassing omitted 2 out, headed last, soon ridden, no chance with winner flat
pressed leader, led 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden and headed bypassing omitted 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden and one pace bypassing omitted 2 out, no impression before last, lost place flat
WINTER ALCHEMY reverts to hurdles after a run over fences here at the start of the month. He was only beaten a couple of lengths over the smaller obstacles at Bangor in July and can go one better in a very weak finale ahead of The Ice Factor, second twice at Hexham earlier this year, and Andhaar, who has his sights lowered. Burnt Sienna won a novices' handicap over a shorter trip here just over a year ago but has been out of sorts in her last two.
Andhaar 40-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Sealous Scout (10-12) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Marrakech Trader (NZ) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden before 3 out, went 4th before last, one pace, 4th of 13, 15 1/4l behind Silver Gent (11-6) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in May.
Winter Alchemy (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Led to 7 out, weakened from last, 5th of 6, 20 1/4l behind Donapollo (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) gf in Oct.
The Ice Factor 9-2 (10-5) Led until approaching 5th, chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened quickly soon after 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before the last, at Perth 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Burnt Sienna (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened before 5 out, 5th of 14, 31l behind Amuse Me (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Willie Hall 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 11, 31 3/4l behind Native Optimist (10-7) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) gd in May.
Petre' Island (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out, at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (5) sft in May.
Just My Luke 200-1 (11-0) Always behind, 7th of 12, dist behind Oscar Blue (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Oct.
