tracked leader, pushed along before 9th, weakened before 2 out
always towards rear
held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, lwed before last, kept on well
close up, reminders before 9th, led before 10th, ridden before 4 out, headed before last, kept on and no chance with winner
led, not fluent 6 out, headed before 10th, weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division, headway before 9th, weakened before 4 out
chased leaders, stumbled before 7th, weakened from 5 out
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on
CATEGORICAL won this two years ago and his stable also scored last year. The ten-year-old is hardly the most consistent of performers but likes it around here and a chance is taken that he can gain another course success. Billy Cuckoo arrives in sparkling form having won three times since November though not surprisingly he's now on his highest ever mark. Railway Dillon was in fine shape at this time a year ago and has now dropped to a very reasonable mark after a succession of poor efforts. He has to be a threat along with Douglas Julian, who has generally competed at a higher level and isn't too badly handicapped.
Woody Waller 20-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, pulled up before last, in a race won by Nuts N Bolts (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.
Douglas Julian 15-2 (11-12) Prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, 3rd and no impression last, weakened into 4th flat, 4th of 5, 12l behind No Secrets (11-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
The Thirsty Bricky (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway to 4th at 12th, ridden next, kept on to go 3rd at last, 3rd of 8, 12l behind The Black Baron (10-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Devotion To Duty (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden 5 out, soon well behind, 5th of 7, 37l behind Mcmurrough (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Railway Dillon (IRE) 10-3 (12-5) Tracked leader, not fluent 5th, hit 6th and 12th, mistake and reminder 15th, not fluent 17th, mistake and weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 45l behind Gwanako (11-12) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Billy Cuckoo (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Made all, joined 5th, ridden 3 out, clear approaching last, wandered under flat, all out and just held on, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb beating What A Dream (10-4) by nk, 13 ran.
Alpha One (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, pushed along in 6th and looked held when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Kandari (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Categorical 4-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, in touch before 5th, chased leaders 8th, blundered 11th, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 8, 41l behind Kandari (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Dun Masc (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway 9th, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 12, 25l behind Everdon Brook (10-0) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.