in touch on outside, challenged 4 out until after next, soon ridden, well held from 2 out, left modest 3rd last
held up, always in rear, lost touch 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, struggling after 3 out, weakened before next
disputed lead, reminders after 8th, lost place 4 out, not fluent next, soon weakened
mid-division, mistake 4th, headway after 3 out, outpaced before next, never threatened leaders, left modest 4th last
behind, headway after 3 out, chased front pair before next, soon ridden, stayed on to challenge when carried left and left in clear lead last, kept on
tracked leaders, challenged when mistake 4 out, driven and lost place quickly before next, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out
tracked leaders, smooth headway to join leader after 3 out, led next, ridden and hard pressed when veered left, ran out and crashed through wing last
tracked leaders on inside, outpaced when ridden after 3 out, weakened next
disputed lead, narrow advantage when not fluent 4 out, ridden and headed when jumped right from 2 out, one pace in 3rd between last 2, held when left 2nd last
held up behind, headway 3 out, never reached leaders, weakened between last 2
Sam's Adventure encounters fast ground for the first time having placed at Ayr on his hurdling bow and has undergone wind surgery since. Flemens Story represents last year’s winning yard but may also prefer more cut after finishing runner-up at Sedgefield and MIGHTY THUNDER makes more appeal. The latter went close over a shorter trip here before disappointing in heavy going at Ayr and Lucinda Russell’s charge gets another chance today. Thelongwayaround has placed on a couple of occasions and may prove best of the remainder now handicapping for the first time.
Captain Kurt 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 7th of 11, 34l behind Stoney Rover (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Eagle Crag (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Soon raced in 8th, effort straight, kept on same pace without threatening from over 1f out, 6th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Teologia (8-8) at Thurles 2m hcp gf in Oct.
Eagle Ridge (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Behind, blundered 4th, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, pulled up, at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Flemens Story (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Led, headed before 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Schiehallion Munro (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Fully Booked 33-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, last of 9, dist behind Bobbie The Dazzler (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Nov.
Mighty Thunder 7-2 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced before 3 out, ridden after next, never able to challenge, 5th of 11, 10 1/2l behind Road To Gold (11-10) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Rocket Man Rodney 150-1 (11-1) Always behind, not fluent 3rd, lost touch and pulled up after 7th, at Kelso 2m 7f (3) gs in Dec.
Sam's Adventure 8-11fav (11-0) Chased leaders, keen, mistake 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 9, 5 3/4l behind Bobbie The Dazzler (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Nov.
Thelongwayaround (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led, headed 2nd, tracked winner, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Two For Gold (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Uptown Harry (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) A.p; led 3 out; stayed on wl, won at Hexham 3m mdn in Dec beating Enry Iggins (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Just Brooke 50-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, stayed on after 2 out, never nearer, 4th of 10, 30 1/2l behind Just Before Dawn (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in May.
Wataguddo 40-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, weakened from 5 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Towcester 2m 5f (4) sft in Mar.