not always fluent, chased leaders, mistake 3rd, reminder after 8th, not fluent and 2nd next, every chance 3 out, no impression on winner 2 out
held up, jumped left at times, mistake 4th, not fluent 6th, lost touch next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway 4th, lost touch after 4 out, tailed off
tracked leader, led 8th, clear 2 out, ran on well
led, headed 8th, hanging badly right after 4 out, weakened before next
chased leaders until not fluent 4th, struggling 7th, behind next, tailed off
held up in rear, headway before 7th, 3rd before 3 out, one pace and no impression
BASSARABAD has obvious claims given he escapes a penalty having won a conditionals’ handicap at Kelso last month. Tim Vaughan’s charge should make another bold bid with Richard Johnson back on board though both Ryalex and Mondlicht are weighted to figure. The former has been placed in maiden hurdles and the latter has recorded a string of placed efforts this year. Toarmandowithlove was second in a handicap at Hexham earlier but the remainder are harder to fancy.
Bassarabad (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 5 ouot, ridden before last, kept on well run-in, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Oct beating Binowagh Bay (11-11) by 2l, 13 ran.
Crookofdevon 250-1 (10-12) Held up behind, reminder after 3rd, weakened from 7th, tailed off, soon pulled up, at Kelso 2m 7f (4) gs in Nov.
Killone (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Mid-division, in 3rd when fell 3 out, at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Mondlicht (USA) 13-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, outpaced from 5 out, plugged on from 2 out, went 3rd from last, never dangerous, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Le Breuil (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Ryalex (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Not fluent and jumped right, led until 4th, chased winner, ridden and no impression before 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 9, 14l behind Traditional Dancer (10-9) at Perth 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in May.
Warden Law (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Last trio, pushed along after 3rd, tailed off when mistake 6th, 7th of 8, dist behind The Character (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Toarmandowithlove (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden in 3rd before last, kept on same and lost 3rd place towards finish, 4th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Bescot Springs (11-7) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Nov.