behind, not through in 5th, struggle in 8th, driven and headway 4 out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd 2 out, held final furlong
chased winner, pushed along 9th, ridden and effort 3 out, kept on same pace from next
tracked leading pair, headway 4 out, soon ridden and outpaced, 4th unbeaten when fell next
held up when pulled up after 1st, dismounted
made all, ridden 3 out, stayed on well under pressure flat
held up, reminders 4th, struggling 10th, ridden and weakened 4 out, left remote 4th next
Cross The Highman is taken to get the better of Silver Dagger and Rich Song in this small field. Rich Song lost his maiden tag here last time but it may not have been much of a contest and he can be taken on after a long winless run. Silver Dagger has completed a hat-trick of chasing successes recently but went up the handicap as a result and was guilty of mistakes when pulled up last time. He may be a little high in the weights and he is overlooked. Dual hurdling winner Cross The Highman has been knocking on the door in his latest starts and this looks a good opportunity to put the record straight. He has lacked a turn of foot in the closing stages but this may be easier and Tony McCoy can prove an able persuader. Cross The Highman can score here.
Cross The Highman (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 14th, every chance last, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Meehan (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Jun.
Silver Dagger 5-1 (10-12) Mistakes in rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Fleetfoot Mac (10-5) at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jun, 11 ran.
Rich Song (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ran on well from last, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jun beating Heather Lad (10-11) by 14l, 10 ran.
Prayerful 50-1 (10-7) Held up, mistake 10th, headway on inside 14th, went 3rd, 4 out, no impression on front 2 when blundered 2 out, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Meehan (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Jun.
Civil Gent (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (10-13) Mid-division, ridden 5 out, kept on from 3 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 13, 6l behind The Holy Bee (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Carricklee Boy (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Held up, headway after 11th, chased leaders next, led approaching 2 out, ran on, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jun beating Tacita (9-7) by 3l, 11 ran.
