chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led before 3 out, idled flat, headed towards finish, led again close home
always in rear, behind 8th
led until slow 1st, prominent, not fluent 9th, ridden 4 out, led towards finish, headed close home
prominent, led 3rd, headed next, ridden after 4 out, one pace 3 out, weakened from next
held up, ridden after 9th, well beaten from 4 out
held up in rear, pushed along after 7th, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd last stride
led 1st until 3rd, led 4th, headed before 3 out, no extra and lost 3rd last stride
prominent, lost place 3rd, closed 5th, lost place again and jumped left 6th, behind from 8th
Harry Skelton rides Gars Bar Dine, who has had wind surgery, but stablemate Very First Time should be winning races like this off his current mark and makes more appeal. A first runner for Paula Smith, DALLAS COWBOY has a decent record here including a victory over 2m1f in April. He’s still on a decent mark so gets the nod. First Figaro was disappointing at Bangor last month but is capable of better and makes more appeal than veteran Forever My Friend and top weight Beautiful Ben.
Beautiful Ben (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, soon one pace, stayed on into narrow 3rd flat, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Theflyingportrait (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Knocknamona (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Keen in rear, mistake 2nd, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Arctic Road (10-10) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
First Figaro (GER) 11-2 (12-0) Held up in rear, ridden and headway when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 35 1/2l behind Zolfo (11-6) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Forever My Friend (IRE) 12-1 (12-5) Led until 2nd, chased leader (winner) who went clear before 7th, closed 13th, not fluent next, weakened 2 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Nortonthorpelegend (11-5) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Gars Bar Dine (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Astracad (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Very First Time 7-4fav (11-2) Chased clear leaders, closed 12th, pushed along 14th, struggling next, well beaten after 16th, 5th of 6, 33 1/2l behind Max Do Brazil (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Dallas Cowboy (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Tracked leader, led 2nd, headed after 4 out, no extra, 4th of 7, 11 1/2l behind Bandsman (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in May.
Gentleman James 6-1 (10-4) Jumped slowly plenty of times, chased leaders, lost place 2nd, mistake 8th, well beaten from 3 out, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
