tracked leaders, ridden from 14th, plugged on one pace
led, headed 2nd, led again 4th, headed 12th, ridden and weakened from 13th
always towards rear, lost place 14th, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 12th
towards rear, fell 12th
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, hit next, 5 lengths down in 3rd and held when fell 2 out
mid-division, hit 3rd, blundered and unseated rider next
tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead approaching 3 out, ridden and kept on well
led 2nd until 4th and stayed prominent, led again 12th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon headed, one pace
always behind, lost touch 14th, pulled up after 5 out
mid-division, lost place 10th and reminders, ridden from 4 out and no impression
towards rear, reminders after 10th, behind and pulled up before 4 out
Herbie is undoubtedly one of the lesser lights in Howard Johnson's stable but has to be considered in this poor quality handicap but he was well beaten at Carlisle last month so a better bet looks to be NELLIEDONETHAT, who gets the verdict ahead of Doris's Gift. Chris Grant's gelding has been running consistently well and has every chance but he may prefer faster ground so looks best watched. Countrywide Sun ran better at Ayr last time and has every chance on that evidence but he, like many of the others in this race, is not the most consistent of performers. Peter Monteith's Snowy is closely matched with Divex on running here last month and both have claims but preference is for Nelliedonethat. Lucinda Russell's gelding comes into this in better from than most of his opponents and off what seems a fair mark he is taken to resume winning ways.
Snowy (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 13th, gradually weakened from 4 out, 5th of 13, 29l behind Seize (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Always handy, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Seize (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Nicozetto (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Behind when fell at the 5th in race won by Seize (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Prince of Slane 13-2 (11-0) Held up, pushed along after 14th, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 42l behind Coldwells (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Herbie (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Held up, pushed along approaching 5th, reminders 7th, headway 2 out, stayed on in 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Lago (10-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Seek The Truth (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Mid-division, blundered 5 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 9, 30l behind Sammy Spiderman (10-0) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs (4) hvy in Dec.
Prince Mouse 33-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders and keen, lost place 11th, headway to chase leaders 4 out, hit next, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 12l behind Coldwells (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Nelliedonethat (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (11-10) Led, headed before last, one pace, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Toy Gun (11-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.
Blue Rising 7-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, reminders approaching 8th, outpaced 3 out, 4th of 7, 18l behind Toy Gun (11-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.
Hickory Lane 11-2 (10-5) Held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 22l behind Bewery Man (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Destiny Hill 5-1 (10-10) Held up, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon edged left, no impression, 4th of 10, 16l behind Solway Sunset (11-6) at Ayr 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Doris's Gift 6-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 15, 25l behind Viper (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Dec.
Divex (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, soon one pace, 4th of 13, 12l behind Seize (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Countrywide Sun 10-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, every chance last, ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Solway Sunset (11-6) at Ayr 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
