led, fell 6th
close up, left in lead 6th, blundered 12th, headed approaching 13th, weakened from 3 out
held up, chased leaders after 6 out, soon chasing winner, kept on, no impression from 3 out
held up in touch, chasing leaders when hampered 6th, weakened from 5 out
held up mid-division, fell 13th
held up mid-division, chased leaders 5th, led approaching 13th, clear after 3 out
held up towards rear, soon tracking leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out
always in rear, blundered 3rd, hampered 6th, pushed along after 5 out, never dangerous
A few old friends on view in the opener and SIERRA PEAK is the tentative selection with Snowy and Yankee Holiday worthy of consideration. Martin Todhunter's charge does have a little to prove but having had an absence, there has been time to iron out any ills and he would have a chance on the basis of his second to Burgess Hill at Perth. Snowy needs little introduction. He beat the in form Dawn Ride at Kelso but was a tad disappointing when tried at the same course with an extra 5lb. Yankee Holiday is a little quirky but is more than able. This is an interesting decision to take a step up in trip. Ferdy Murphy's yard are back in form so Seize has to enter calculations. Wizards Dust has been notably busy over the last few months and should have no issues in relation to match fitness. Any overnight rain would play to the strengths of proven mudlark, Nelliedonethat. Time Bandit could be fairly treated against some of his runs for David Pipe though his latest efforts lend us to believe that a watching brief is the plan today. Sierra Peak is the selection in a race of limited betting appeal.
Snowy (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Mid-division, lost place 7th, struggling 11th, no danger after, 10th of 14, well behind Justwhateverulike (10-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Sierra Peak (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, blundered and reminders 8th, lost place next, behind and struggling 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Snowy (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Seize 10-1 (10-12) Always in rear, well beaten 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Sea Cadet (10-8) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Wizards Dust 3-1 (10-5) Led until after 6th, led next to 15th, every chance 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, 5 lengths down and looked beaten last, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov beating Sydney Sling (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Pipers Blaze (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) In rear, headway from 4 out, ridden from next, went 4th without threatening from last, 6th of 22, 11l behind Ameretto Son (10-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f am hcp ch 0-102 in Oct.
Nelliedonethat (IRE) 9-2fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, every chance 2 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 6l behind Treehouse (9-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Always prominent, effort 2 out, upsides last, ridden and every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Duke of Malfi (11-2) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Time Bandit (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Its Teescomponents (11-3) at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
