close up, led approaching 4 out, headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up, chased leaders approaching 4 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on
prominent, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, in touch approaching 10th, led 3 out, driven out
in rear, reminders early, weakened 4 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression from next
led, headed approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next
tracked leaders, weakened approaching last
towards rear, pushed along 6th, weakened from 9th, pulled up before next
held up behind, pushed along 8th, never dangerous
held up, weakened 5 out, pulled up before next
held up in touch, weakened after 4 out
A real stamina test here and CINAMAN looks up to it, while Onthegoagain is very much respected. The latter was resolute in holding off Reckless Venture to win over a similar trip in a Hexham chase last time. He switches back to hurdles here from the same mark of 88 and should go very well, although his ability to handle soft ground is open to doubt and so we'll take him on. Connections have persevered with Old Noddy, who has not been seen for 20 months, but is now 2lbs lower than when taking a marathon Kelso chase two years ago and could look well handicapped on that basis if retaining that ability, though there are going concerns over him. Seeking Straight is a maiden after 19 attempts, and while he looks capable of making the frame a win is perhaps beyond him even in this grade, while the ground looks to be against Dukeofchesterwood. That brings us to our selection, Cinaman. Roger Fisher has had three winners from just four recent runners, and the other was second, so he could hardly be in better form. His five-year-old was one of that victorious trio when obliging on soft ground at Carlisle, and with a similar test of stamina to come today, he looks capable of defying a 7lb penalty to follow-up.
Bayfirth (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway 3rd, led 7th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened flat, 5th of 11, 13l behind Alora Money (10-7) at Carlisle 3m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Mister Marker (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Mid-division on inside, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 44l behind Mr Woods (11-5) at Perth 3m nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Onthegoagain (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 9th, made rest, ridden last, held on under pressure flat, won at Hexham 3m 1f stks (5) gd in Oct beating Reckless Venture (10-12) by 1l, 11 ran.
Dukeofchesterwood 9-2fav (10-4) Held up, chased leaders when not fluent 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 14, 13l behind Imtihan (11-1) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jul.
Seeking Straight (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leader early, soon mid-division, ridden and under pressure 3 out, hit next, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 13l behind Cinaman (10-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f am nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
Old Noddy (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Chased leader, lost place approaching 2nd, 4th of 12, well behind Companero (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar '08.
Cinaman (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Made all, soon clear, jumped left 2 out and last, soon strongly challenged, held on under pressure, won at Carlisle 3m 1f am nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft beating Roseneath (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Liz's Dream 14-1 (10-3) Mid-division, weakened 2 out, 6th of 16, 16l behind Dunbrody House (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Oct.
The Maystone (IRE) 17-2 (9-7) Mistakes, always behind, weakend and pulled after 11th, in a race won by Gershwinner (11-7) at Perth 3m 5yo nov hcp (4) gs in May, 13 ran.
Gagarin (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Behind, struggling 7th, tailed off 2 out, 7th of 10, well behind King Fontaine (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Miss Shred Easy 22-1 (10-0) Led, headed 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 29l behind Whatdoidowiththat (9-11) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May '08.
Henbeck Lady (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Mid-division, lost place 7th, soon behind, 9th of 14, 26l behind Freedom Flying (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
