tracked leaders, went 2nd at 7th, weakened from 5 out
always towards rear, weakened before 6 out, soon tailed off, pulled up
with leader, led 3rd, clear before last, kept on well
mid-division, headway before 12th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, chased winner from 6 out, ridden before 3 out, kept on and no impression
led to 3rd, lost place before 9th, headway before 4 out, kept on same pace in 3rd
in rear, pushed along after 5 out, weakened 4 out
Corrin Wood never really figured in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock last month but still finished well ahead of Trickaway and the longer trip here will suit. Batavir was well beaten on his only previous try over fences but is potentially well treated on his form over hurdles. Bigirononhiship is very lightly raced but was second here on his fencing bow and has won a point-to-point. Un Noble won at the track in April but REVOCATION looks better treated and Lucina Russell’s charge won nicely over 2m4f here in November and jumped even better when second to Palm Grey at Carlisle subsequently. Palm Grey’s stablemate Smooth Stepper is struggling for form but has won off a higher mark over course and distance so can’t be ruled out.
Trickaway (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Tracking leaders leaving start, 3rd when in view after 5th, still 3rd when in view after 14th, weakened after 4 out, 10th of 16, dist behind Yala Enki (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Un Noble (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Blundered and unseated rider 1st, at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Smooth Stepper 15-2 (10-13) In rear, effort from 4 out, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 18l behind Harry The Viking (10-6) at Kelso 4m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Corrin Wood (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Tracking leaders leaving start, struggling to keep up when in view after 5th, 12th when in view after 14th, plugged on late for remote 4th, 4th of 16, 30l behind Yala Enki (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Bigirononhiship (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Made most, blundered 2nd, slow 6th, headed 12th, every chance 4 out, ridden before 2 out, not quicken from last, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Calett Mad (10-8) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Revocation 13-2 (10-9) Tracked leader, mistake 6 out and 3 out, ridden before last, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Palm Grey (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Batavir (FR) 15-2 (11-5) Mid-division, closed 2nd, challenged 8th, led 4 out, soon headed, still every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 11, 5 1/4l behind Splash of Ginge (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.