held up in touch on outside, headway to lead 4th, headed narrowly 8th, led again briefly before 2 out, ridden and no impression with winner from last
in touch on inside, tracked leader 6th, led narrowly 8th, driven and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, lost moderate 3rd last
held up behind in touch, fell 7th
led to 4th, chased leader, dropped to rear after 6th, struggling 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when fell 2 out
tracked leader to 6th, in touch, ridden and outpaced before 4 out, stayed on to go moderate 3rd last
tracked leaders on outside, effort 4 out, soon ridden, led 2 out, edged left between last 2, clear last, stayed on well
MIGHTY MAGNUS only beat one home when favourite at Bangor last time but a reproduction of his earlier second to Baltic Pathfinder at Sedgefield would probably suffice in this uncompetitive handicap. Hole In One's third to Transact over a shorter trip here last month was her best effort yet over the larger obstacles and Lucinda Russell's mare is probably the danger as Paddys Unyoke has had plenty of chances and stablemate Man Of Principles has shown nothing over fences so far and is now visored. The others have little to recommend them.
Hole In One (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) Soon tracked leaders on outside, challenged 8th, led after 4 out, soon ridden, headed 2 out, kept on and every chance until no extra towards finish, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Transact (9-11) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Mighty Magnus (IRE) 11-10fav (11-9) Tracked leader util before 7th, chased winner from 8th, until before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 4, 25l behind Whatshallwedo (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec.
Chester Ridge 14-1 (11-2) Led after 2nd, headed 8th, pushed along and weakened from 5 out, not fluent next, 3rd of 4, well behind Tiptoeaway (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Man Of Principles (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Led, ridden and headed after 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 47l behind Ruff Diamond (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Paddys Unyoke (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Disputed lead to 6th, chased leaders, pushed along after 11th, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Lie Forrit (11-1) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (2) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Shadow Boxer 10-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, reminders before 7th, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 12, 29l behind Sundown Trail (11-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb.
