mid-division, headway 8th, weakened after 3 out
reminders start, led 1st, mistake and headed 11th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 11th, chased winner 3 out, challenged next until last, held flat, lost 2nd towards finish
held up towards rear, slow and behind 3 out
held up in rear, plugged on from 2 out, no impression
held up towards rear, effort on outside 4 out, 4th 2 out, no impression
led until 1st, disputed 2nd until not fluent 4th, reminders after 8th, not fluent 10th or 12th, kept on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
NonRunner
Cuban Pete made a winning start over fences at Hereford and was then second at Lingfield. He’s been dropped a pound for this and is preferred to Smiths Cross, who has gone backwards since a third at Carlisle in October. Iwilldoit could be interesting if taking to fences but a similar comment applies to DUC DE GRISSAY. He would have won over hurdles here last month had he not fallen at the last and has since run well twice against decent company at Newcastle. Talkofgold beat a subsequent winner at Hexham earlier this month but still receives weight all round so should be thereabouts again.
Smiths Cross (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Led until 5th, chased winner until before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 34l behind Rose Sea Has (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Iwilldoit 20-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, some headway towards outside under pressure before 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, 9th of 18, 16l behind Champers On Ice (11-12) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Senor Lombardy (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 7, 24 1/2l behind Mighty Thunder (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Behindthelines (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Prominent, lost place 4th, behind 10th, tailed off when mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Perth 2m 4f (3) gd in Sep.
Gipsy Lee Rose (FR) 28-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before last, pulled up approaching last, at Kelso 2m 7f (3) sft in Dec.
Cairnshill (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) In rear, plugged on to take 3rd place from last, never dangerous, 3rd of 5, dist behind Two For Gold (11-6) at Kelso 2m 7f (3) sft in Dec.
Cuban Pete (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) In touch, chased winner from 5 out, ridden before 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Clondaw Anchor (11-11) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Talkofgold (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Led, pushed along before 9th, headed after 10th, led again approaching 3 out, clear flat, stayed on, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Ripstick (10-0) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Duc De Grissay (FR) 7-4 (10-12) Soon led, headed after 2 out, rallied last, kept on same pace closing stages, 3rd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Rath An Iuir (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) sft in Dec.