mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out to chase leaders, hit next, no impression, kept on and went 2nd run-in
led and keen early, hit 3rd, headed 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, hit 4 out, ridden approaching next, held when fell 2 out
tracked leader, headway to lead 4 out, ridden 2 out, headed and no extra run-in
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders until weakened from 5th, soon beaten
in touch, close up 4 out, ridden and hit next, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
mid-division, ridden and one paced from 3 out
blundered 1st in mid-division, lost way from 5th
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
It will be interesting to see if there is any market support for the multiple point-to-point winner Run To Space now that he encounters a soft surface for the first time under rules but a safer option looks to be Along The Nile, with Border Fox rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has to give weight away all round but Keith Reveley's gelding has looked like one to keep on the right side of having landed both starts over hurdles in decent fashion, latterly in a course and distance handicap on a softish surface. Richard Fahey's Halla San could be a decent recruit from the flat and should come on for his hurdling debut at Catterick last month but he has yet to prove that he handles testing conditions so looks best watched at present. Alan Swinbank's Puy d'Arnac has more to do than when landing a maiden hurdle at Catterick last month, while Compromiznotension may do better now that he can race on a soft surface. Len Lungo's Border Fox looks to be going the right way and has no problems with the underfoot conditions but marginal preference is for Along The Nile.
Along The Nile 13-2 (11-0) Held up, smooth headway to go close up 3 out, kept on and every chance last, driven out to lead flat, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating Folk Tune (11-10) by 2l, 7 ran.
Border Fox 14-1 (10-9) Made all, pulled hard and soon clear, hit last 2, ridden out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Pop (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Always prominent, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well, won at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Fortunate Isle (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Spivitus 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Dec beating Arctic Cove (11-1) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Banana Grove (IRE) 100-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never on terms, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Sabbeeh (8-9) at Ayr 1m 3yo stk (C2) sft in Oct '04 (Flat).
Compromiznotension (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up, mistake 1st, headway 3 out, one pace next, 4th of 16, 20l behind Akarem (10-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Frank Crow 33-1 (9-2) Dwelt and towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 15, 10l behind King of The Moors (9-2) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct (Flat).
Great Breeze (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, one pace final 2f, 8th of 15, 23l behind Le Platino (10-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gf in Dec.
Halla San 5-2fav (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, hit 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, one pace, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Domino Dancer (10-7) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Nelsons Column (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Andytown (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs.
Run To Space 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on close home, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Knight Valliant (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Superior Star 7-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, chased winner from 2 out until last, one pace, 3rd of 11, 16l behind Seeking Justice (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Top Mark 16-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, weakening when hit 4 out, behind when blundered 2 out, 9th of 17, well behind Striking Article (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Veiled Applause 17-2 (9-7) Led for 2f, remained prominent, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 12, 8l behind Risque Heights (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct (Flat).
Kerriemuir Lass (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Soon led, steady pace 6f out, quickened pace over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra, 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Loulwa (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 5f lst fll stk (1) pol in Nov (Flat).
