held up, jumped slow 5th, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out,
in touch, lost place 5th,
chased leaders, reminders and lost place 4 out,
led, hit 4 out, soon headed, weakened approaching next,
chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, one pace
chased leaders, led after 4 out, hit 3 out, soon headed, weakened approaching last
in touch, weakened approaching 3 out,
always towards rear,
always behind, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, ridden after last, ran on well to lead flat
Gringo can beat newcomers Purple Moon and Scutch Mill, with Snake Rave worth a mention at least. Gringo started to become disappointing on the Flat, but has not taken long in making his mark over hurdles, going in at the fourth time of asking over the course-and-distance last month. The ex-Barry Hills inmate displayed a fine turn of foot that day to see off the challenge of the useful Lets Roll, and although saddled with a penalty now, in truth has little to beat. Purple Moon is an interesting debutante purchased from Sir Michael Stoute's yard, as he was rated 97 on the Flat, but it remains to be seen how he will take to the game and he is best watched. Scutch Mill lines up on the back of a couple of all-weather wins last month, and his trainer has the knack of placing them well over jumps, so he will no doubt pay to follow in time, while Howard Johnson won this last year so Snake Rave must not be dismissed entirely out of hand although he has a bit to find. The selection just has to be Gringo.
Gringo 5-1 (10-12) Held up behind, headway on inside after 4 out, driven approaching last, ran on well to lead towards finish, won at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Lets Roll (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Alfonso 66-1 (10-9) Always behind, weakened from 4th, 8th of 10, well behind The Abbots Habit (10-12) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Graphex 66-1 (11-0) Always behind, 10th of 12, well behind The Ring (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Jendali Lad 150-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, lost touch from 8th, 12th of 15, well behind Merrymaker (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Leprechaun's Maite 14-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, weakened after 6th, beaten when pulled up 4 out in race won by Kempski (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Little Paddy (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 15, 24l behind Dancing Lyra (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Make A Mark (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 15, 21l behind Gringo (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Scutch Mill (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Dwelt, held up, came wide entering straight, good headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Discotheque (9-0) by 2l, 11 ran (Flat).
Snake Rave (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off from 3 out, 8th of 16, well behind Heraldry (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Beriga (GER) 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, 11th of 15, well behind Pee Jay's Dream (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Poems For Lara (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost place 7th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Sharp Reply (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
Purple Moon (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, one pace under pressure final 2f, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Peppertree Lane (8-13) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Oct (Flat).
