raced wide close up, tracked 4th, ridden and weakened 2 out
in touch in rear, pushed along and outpaced 3 out
close up, pushed along 4 out, outpaced next
keen tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, led last, ridden and ran on
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next
keen led, ridden and headed 2 out, left 3rd next, kept on one pace
tracked leader, not fluent and led 2 out, headed next, kept on one pace
in touch, headway 2 out, ridden and every chance when fell next
Set In Stone got back to winning ways on the Flat last year and only weakened approaching the last on her hurdling debut at Catterick, though was behind Royal Cosmic. The latter was 14 lengths behind SMART LASS here on her hurdling debut and it’s difficult to see that form being reversed with Bruce Lynn claiming 7lb off the latter. Dieu Benisse has been running in handicaps since winning at Ffos Las in May but is looking a little exposed and Tommy Dowson prefers French Flat winner Winfola. Flood Defence won three times on the Flat but Movin'on Up disappointed in bumpers and is now blinkered.
Dieu Benisse (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Held up, fell 2nd, at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Flood Defence (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, 18th of 19, dist behind Gamesters Icon (10-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Oct.
Movin'on Up (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, niggled along 6f out, lost touch 4f out, tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Alpha Carinae (10-12) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Royal Cosmic 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, stayed on to take narrow 3rd closing stages, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Full Of Surprises (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Set In Stone (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Keen early, prominent, left disputing lead 3rd, outpaced approaching 2 out, soon lost place, no impression when hit last, 6th of 14, 12 3/4l behind Full Of Surprises (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Shabba Dada Do (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Led until carried out by loose horse 3rd, at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Smart Lass (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Keen close up, ridden to chase comfortable winner 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Timetochill (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Winfola (FR) (8-10) won at Le Mans 1m 2f stks gd in Sep beating Monty (8-13) by nk, 10 ran.
