held up mid-division, weakened before 4 out
in touch, blundered 7th, pushed along 9th, mistake 10th, weakened before 4 out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 6 out, blundered 5 out, went 3rd 3 out, one pace and no impression
in rear, stayed on from after 2 out, went 3rd run-in, nearest at finish
chased leaders in 3rd, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, kept on well
led to 4 out, ridden and weakened next
tracked leader, every chance before 3 out, kept on and no impression from before 2 out
Dingo Bay won this last year and has leading claims again if fully recovered from a nasty fall here on his reappearance. Mr Chippy also has a shout on his best form but he's been off the track for over two years now and INDIAN VOYAGE looks a safer bet. The latter ploughed the mud to finish runner-up at Carlisle last time and is taken to go one better racing off the same mark here. Testing ground is not ideal for Ben Akram and Tresor De L'Isle was well beaten in similar underfoot conditions behind the selection last month.
Ben Akram (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) In touch in 4th, pushed along before 4 out, every chance 3 out, kept on from last, 4th of 9, 4l behind Sharney Sike (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Tresor De L'isle (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, left 3rd next, no impression, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Etxalar (11-10) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Mr Chippy (IRE) 5-4fav (10-6) Tracked leaders, niggled along from 6th, outpaced after 11th, rallied 4 out, left 3rd 3 out, beaten before last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Bocciani (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec '11.
Indian Voyage (IRE) 7-2 (10-8) In touch, headway 9th, joined winner 11th, ridden to lead 2 out, headed next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Etxalar (11-10) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Monbeg (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place after 4 out, weakened 2 out, last of 7, 50l behind King's Grace (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Dingo Bay 9-2 (10-0) Tracked winner, held when fell 2 out, in a race won by Settledoutofcourt (10-11) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
Vardas Supreme (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) In touch, joined leader 3rd, lost place 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, 24l behind Bill The Lad (10-7) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Samson Collonges (FR) 16-1 (10-0) In touch in 4th, with leader 6 out, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Esme Rides A Gaine (9-10) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
