tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 5 out, headway 3 out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
in touch, outpaced 5 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 3 out, no impression
in touch, pushed along 5 out, outpaced when mistake next, soon weakened
tracked leader, led 11th, headed approaching 5 out, ridden next, kept on, lost 2nd flat
behind, headway 12th, ridden and kept on from 4 out, no impression on leaders
mid-division, lost place and mistake 12th, behind when pulled up before next
always behind, lost touch and pulled up before 9th
behind, blundered 8th, never on terms
mid-division, headway 10th, led approaching 5 out, driven clear approaching last, comfortably
always towards rear
chased leaders, pushed along 10th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led to 11th, soon lost place, behind when blundered 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, lost place 12th, soon behind
chased leaders, lost place 9th, behind from 5 out
Another competitive contest with Harrovian, Go Nomadic, Sound Of Cheers and Green Ideal all live contenders but the vote goes to the last named. Green Ideal put a heavy fall behind him at Wetherby on Boxing Day when holding every chance to score at Ayr last time out when getting the better of Fountain Brig. That proved he is tough and if repeating that run he has to go close again. Harrovian held every chance when blundering two out and not recovering at Kelso last time out. With a clear round he is respected as is Go Nomadic who tried to make all over three and a half miles at Sedgfield last time out. This shorter trip will suit. Sound Of Cheers is another to consider after his recent Wetherby win but he has more on his plate this time around. So for the winner we return to Green Ideal.
Harrovian 10-3fav (11-12) Prominent, blundered 2 out, rallied approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Interdit (11-12) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Heidi III (FR) 8-1 (11-7) With leader, led 3rd to 5th, remained prominent until weakened 4 out, 9th of 11, 48l behind Victory Gunner (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
Green Ideal 13-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead after 4 out, kept on from last, won at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating Fountain Brig (10-5) by 1l, 7 ran.
Devil's Run (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Always behind, reminders and lost place from 6th pulled up at the 10th in race won by Kerry Lads (11-6) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Sound Of Cheers 6-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway to go prominent 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, ran on to lead close home, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan beating Lost In Normandy (10-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Hugo de Grez (FR) 20-1 (10-4) Close up, lost place from 9th, soon struggling, 5th of 7, 17l behind Master Sebastian (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Almire du Lia (FR) 9-2fav (11-2) Held up in touch, reminders 5th, lost place next, behind when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Briar's Mist (10-5) at Newcastle 3m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Mister Dave's (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Victory Gunner (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Red Perk (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Towards rear, struggling halfway, never on terms, 6th of 10, 24l behind Interdit (11-12) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Ta Ta For Now 16-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, soon lost place, in touch when mistake and unseated rider at the 8th in race won by Briar's Mist (10-5) at Newcastle 3m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Go Nomadic 11-4 (11-7) Made most to 4 out, one pace from next, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Dark Thunder (9-4) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in May.
Secret Drinker (IRE) 28-1 (10-8) Led to 3rd, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Bang And Blame (10-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Diamond Cottage (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 48l behind San Peire (11-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Trovaio (IRE) 50-1 (9-10) Led, jumped right and headed 12th, soon weakened, 5th of 8, well behind Brandy Wine (11-0) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.