towards rear, ridden approaching 6th, chased leaders 3 out, soon weakened
led, set strong pace, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching next
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, led next, clear last, eased towards finish
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, weakened from 3 out
mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, pushed along 5th, soon weakened
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching next
chased leaders, hit 3 out, soon led, headed 2 out, weakened and lost 2nd flat
chased leaders, outpaced from 3 out, stayed on to chase winner after last, no impression
mid-division, ridden approaching 6th, soon weakened
behind, never on terms
mid-division, blundered 7th, weakened next
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon chasing leaders until weakened 2 out
That's Racing, Mendosino and Wild Tonto are the shortlisted trio here, with Mendosino getting the nod. That's Racing won at Sedgefield a year ago but has gone up the handicap since. He is yet to return to his winning mark and may need to drop a few more pounds despite a distant second last time. Wild Tonto is six pounds better off for a beating of almost five lengths by Mendosino and he can narrow the gap here. The second that day, Mickmacmagoole has won twice since so the form looks good. Wild Tonto will enjoy the cut in the ground and is only six pounds higher than when scoring at Wincanton in March. Mendosino has since been run out of it close home at Uttoxeter and can take this.
Anchors Away 40-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, mistakes 6th and 7th, soon lost place and pulled up 3 out in race won by Neutrino (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Nov, 10 ran.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leader, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 13, well behind Yellow Flag (10-11) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Mendosino (GER) 5-1 (10-8) Held up and behind, slightly hampered 7th, headway approaching 9th, chased winner approaching last, stayed on well towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Kealshore Lad (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Cleopatras Therapy (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Always behind, 11th of 18, 46l behind Risk Runner (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Wild Tonto (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, every chance 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 18, 5l behind Mendosino (10-11) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Hardybuck (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, beaten when blundered last, 4th of 10, 15l behind Red Sun (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Only Words (USA) 14-1 (11-2) Towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 16, 21l behind Falcon's Tribute (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Nov.
Oops (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 9, 28l behind Osako D'airy (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Optimum (IRE) 18-1 (10-8) Prominent, led 6th, headed approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 18, 5l behind Mendosino (10-11) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Harley 3-1fav (11-2) Made all, clear last, tired flat, held on near finish, won at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Nov '05 beating Danse Macabre (11-6) by 1l, 10 ran.
That's Racing 6-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 19l behind Osako D'airy (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f ldy hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Water Pistol 20-1 (10-3) Led, headed 3rd, remained close up until ridden and weakened 9th, 5th of 6, well behind Dundridge Native (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Conservation (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 6th, no chance and mistake 3 out, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Magic Rush (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Aires Rock (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, blundered unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Golden Oak (10-8) at Towcester 2m 3f chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Misttori Belle 40-1 (10-3) Held up, struggling before 4th, never a factor, 9th of 11, 44l behind Ingratitude (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May.
