held up in rear, headway under pressure before 3 out, no impression
chased leaders, weakening when fell 4 out
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, never dangerous
in touch when fell 4th
held up in rear, hampered 4th, blundered and unseated rider 8th
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division after 4th, weakened before 3 out
led until after 4th, remained prominent, led again after 4 out, headed after next, kept on same pace
chased leaders, every chance 3 out, blundered next, weakened before last
always prominent, led after 4th, joined from 6th, headed after 4 out, led again after next, stayed on strongly (2 fences ommited)
in touch when fell 1st
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 8th, driven to challenge 3 out, no extra after last
The progressive Colms Dream makes the trip over from Ireland but has a 20lb hike in the weights to contend with. He was in the lead when falling at Down Royal last time however. Micky Hammond's pair have similar form with both Alderbrook Lad and Rathlin looking high enough in the handicap. Saints And Sinners has plenty to find with Distime on earlier running at Sedgefield, though re-opposes on much better terms, but another chance goes to DOCTOR PHOENIX (NAP). Well beaten behind Village Vic in a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham last month, David Dennis' improving chaser had landed a double before that and should make a bold bid in this grade. Royal Macnab beat Indian Temple and Quito Du Tresor over track and trip last time and is another to consider but Humbie hasn’t raced since 2013 and faces a tough task on his return.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, jumped right and mistake 11th, headway after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression, 8th of 14, 23 1/2l behind Village Vic (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Alderbrook Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Led to 5th, tracked leaders, lost place and behind from 11th, pulled up before 5 out, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Rathlin 12-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 9th, outpaced 13th, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 13, dist behind Bennys Mist (10-4) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Colms Dream (IRE) 6-4fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, on terms before 13th, slight mistake 14th, slight lead when fell 4 out, at Down Royal 3m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Saints And Sinners (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 13 1/2l behind Javert (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Distime (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Prominent, lost place before 2nd, headway 9th, outpaced 13th, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd approaching elbow, no impression on winner, 3rd of 13, 11 1/4l behind Bennys Mist (10-4) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Royal Macnab (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Made all, clear before 2 out, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Indian Temple (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Humbie (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Held up mid-division, headway on inner after 5 out, chased winner before last, kept on and always held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Ultimate (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Indian Temple (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Behind, headway before 3 out, chased winner after last, no impression, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Royal Macnab (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Rowdy Rocher (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, stumbled 2nd, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, left 3rd last, 3rd of 5, dist behind Royal Macnab (10-5) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Quito Du Tresor (FR) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out until after last, one pace, 4th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Royal Macnab (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
