tracked leader, led 2 out, stayed on well to draw clear final 100 yards
led, clear 5th until approaching 8th, mistake and headed 2 out, weakened final 100 yards
held up in rear, ridden 8th, headway 3 out, went 3rd last, stayed on, nearest finish
held up, headway approaching 5th, outpaced 3 out, weakened last
took keen hold, held up, mistake 5th, not fluent 7th, hanging left and last before next, mistake 9th, fell next
prominent, outpaced from 3 out, weakened flat
tracked leaders, tended to jump left, ridden 10th, outpaced before 3 out, weakening when mistake last
in rear, rushed along when jumped slowly 7th, hit 9th, stayed on approaching last, never nearer
GULF PUNCH is still 10lb higher than when successful at Cartmel in August but Donald McCain's filly is the only one of these with recent winning form and earns the nomination on that fact alone. The danger may be Via Archimede, though he'd have to be forgiven a poor effort at Wetherby four weeks ago. Oniz Tiptoes is on a 26-race losing run but has scored over this trip in the past and should be pressing for a place here.
Gulf Punch 7-2fav (10-5) Tracked leader, ridden when not fluent 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 9, 38l behind Fiddlededee (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Via Archimede (USA) 10-1 (9-13) Raced wide, slight lead until approaching 4th, close up, challenged 7th, lost place 4 out, behind when went badly right next, 12th of 16, 37l behind Dot Or Feather (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 6f cond nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Behind, headway into mid-division 4th, ridden and lost place 4 out, kept on under pressure from 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 15, 15l behind The Shy Man (11-3) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Follow On 22-1 (10-2) Behind, pushed along after 8th, headway before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 46l behind Ockey De Neulliac (10-2) at Hexham 2m 4f sell hdl (5) sft.
Velvet Vic (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hit 6th, weakened before 4 out, 10th of 16, well behind Railway Dillon (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Harrys Whim 11-1 (10-7) Always behind, 7th of 10, 37l behind Overyou (11-5) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
Isla Patriot 7-1 (10-3) Disputed lead until approaching 2 out, soon weakened, last of 10, well behind Overyou (11-5) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
Sam D'oc (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, pushed along after 6th, weakened from 9th, 11th of 17, 37l behind Forcefield (11-1) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.