made all, driven clear from 2 out, stayed on well, eased towards finish
tracked leaders in 4th, chased winner 4 out, ridden after next, no impression when lost 2nd next, kept on same pace, lost moderate 3rd towards finish
tracked leading pair, lost place 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up in last pair in touch, headway on outside after 4 out, chased leading pair after next, went 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
held up in last pair in touch, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Nonrunner
Rhymers Ha' was all out to win by a short-head over a slightly shorter trip here last month and is 8lb higher now. That means he has to give 11lb to GYMDOLI, who has made giant strides lately and was probably up against a decent novice here last time. The latter can recapture the winning thread as Shanen probably needs to improve on what he's shown so far over hurdles to figure and Cool Baranca still looks a shade high in the weights. Circus Clown could get involved if a recent run over fences has brought him forward but the others are more difficult to recommend.
Stopped Out 33-1 (11-1) Tracked leader on inner, weakened quickly before 6th, tailed off, soon pulled up, in a race won by Trustan Times (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Rhymers Ha' 5-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 2nd until before 4th, chased leaders, went 2nd again 3 out, challenged and went right 2 out, ridden to lead last, held on, all out, won at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft beating Anna's Arch (11-3) by shd, 11 ran.
Saveiro (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, hit 6th, headway 9th, mistake and unseated rider next, in a race won by Ackertac (11-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Shanen (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Mid-division, headway before 4 out, challenged before 3 out, one pace from 2 out, lost 3rd place flat, 4th of 15, 19l behind Woodpole Academy (11-0) at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) hvy.
Circus Clown (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) In touch, blundered and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Bhaltair (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Chase (0-120) (4yo+) (4) gs, 10 ran.
Gymdoli 13-2 (11-5) Led, mistake 4th, narrowly headed next, chased winner, one pace and well held from 2 out, 2nd of 13, 10l behind Blackwater King (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Julia Too 11-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio, went 2nd last (normal 3 out) until before ommited 2 out, no impression when weakened to 4th before omitted last, 4th of 6, 31l behind Lucematic (10-10) at Kelso 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
Cool Baranca (GER) 33-1 (10-2) Behind, struggling 5th, never near leaders, 7th of 14, 36l behind Cape Express (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Oct.