chased leaders, upsides when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
led to 8th, weakened 5 out
in touch, outpaced 12th, left modest 3rd 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
chased leader, lost place 11th
held up, headway 10th, weakened 5 out
held up, left 2nd 4 out, no impression from next
chased leader, led 8th, left clear 4 out, driven out
Nonrunner
Blackergreen could be well in here despite top-weight and can get the better of Corlande and Digital Fortress. Sue Smith's seven-year-old beat a 128 rival over hurdles in the spring and was given a massive rise in the weights. Back over fences he is rated 98 and he should improve for a recent spin around Wetherby. Corlande has been steadily improving over the last few weeks and if the ground stays soft he must be in with a big shout. Jono O'Neill's Digital Fortress showed improved form last time when chasing home Copper Bay at Leicester. The trip is a slight concern with this one but if his stamina holds he could play a major role. Iron Warrior looks the best of the others, but Blackergreen does look well treated here and he gets a confident vote.
Blackergreen 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 12th, held when blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 39l behind The Reverend (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Iron Warrior (IRE) 28-1 (11-6) Tracked winner to before 4 out, outpaced next, no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Kilty Storm (11-6) at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov chs (4) hvy.
Digital Fortress (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) In touch, slightly hampered 7th, left 2nd 3 out, ridden after 2 out, every chance from last, no extra, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Copper Bay (11-1) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Ruggtah 13-2 (10-9) Held up, headway 11th, 4th and outpaced when mistake 3 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 8, 35l behind Uneven Line (10-8) at Hexham 2m 4f mrs hcp chs (4) gs in Nov.
Barton Sun (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) Held up mid-divisiion, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 12, well behind Never So Blue (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy.
Iloveturtle (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Always behind, 6th of 8, 41l behind Orang Outan (10-4) at Southwell 2m mdn chs (4) gs.
Corlande (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) In touch, disputed lead 11th, outpaced when mistake 3 out, left poor 3rd last, no impression, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Getinbybutonlyjust (11-5) at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Malmo Boy (IRE) 9-4fav (10-9) Chased winner, effort after 3 out, no chance from next, 2nd of 7, 17l behind Union Deux (11-8) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) hvy in Mar '05.
