tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, challenged 4 out, led before 3 out, kept on well from last
led, pushed along before 4 out, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, struggling from 9th
towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 2nd
The maidens Court Painter and Mr Witmore look to be facing an impossible task at the weights so we’ll concentrate on the previous winners. Nicky Henderson has sent DIVINE SPEAR up from Lambourn in search of better ground and number one jockey Nico de Boinville has also made the long journey north. A more-than-useful hurdler, the seven-year-old has made a smooth transition to fences and should complete his hat-trick. Derintoher Yank has yet to finish outside the first two over fences and looks the one for forecast-backers ahead of the less-reliable Delegate.
Divine Spear (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Jumped well, made virtually all, 2 lengths ahead going well 3 out, over 5 lengths clear last, kept up to work after last, stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Exitas (11-8) by 10l, 5 ran.
Delegate 10-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 7th, led next, headed before 3 out, no impression on winner from 2 out, weakened and lost 2nd last, 3rd of 4, 19l behind Robbing The Prey (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Derintoher Yank (IRE) 7-4 (11-8) Led, pushed along after 5 out, not fluent and headed 4 out, mistake and beaten next, 2nd of 3, 13l behind Deauville Dancer (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Court Painter (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, weakened from 7 out, pulled up, at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Mr Witmore (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, outpaced and lost place 12th, modest 5th approaching 2 out, plugged on run-un, 5th of 9, 16 3/4l behind Paddling (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
