Cruachan won in heavy ground at Perth back in September and it was similar underfoot conditions at Hexham last month when Wig Wam Wiggle beat Along Came Theo off a 7lb lower mark. That was the latter’s first start of the year and he may well reverse running today while Zagnzig has been thereabouts at Fairyhouse recently but has to compete off an 8lb higher mark here. CATCHTHEMOONLIGHT (NAP) was set a stiff task in Class 2 company at Carlisle last time but ran well enough in third. Lucinda Russell’s charge looks to have stronger claims at this level racing off the same mark so gets the nod.
Along Came Theo (IRE) 28-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd on long run before the last, every chance last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Wig Wam Wiggle (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Permission Granted (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, under pressure 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Jassas (10-12) at Newcastle 2m (4) gd in Nov.
War Joey (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 10, 17 1/2l behind The Dubai Way (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Catchthemoonlight 33-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Our Valentina (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Cruachan (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, challenged before 2 out, switched inside approaching last, ridden to lead flat, kept on towards finish, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Sep beating Vertigo (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Herecomesnelson (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, struggling after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 12, dist behind Chozen (11-8) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Zagnzig (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd from 5th, slight mistake 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon on terms, headed and one pace from last, 4th of 15, 4l behind Queeny (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Clovelly 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, never on terms, 3rd of 10, 15 1/4l behind Mary Eleanor (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Final Reminder (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, pushed along and weakened from 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 11, dist behind Jimmy Breekie (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f (4) gd in Jun.
Ceegem (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along before 7th, headway before 3 out, kept on to take 3rd place run-in, 3rd of 11, 12 3/4l behind Reivers Lodge (11-2) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Park House 5-1 (11-6) Mid-division, struggling before 3 out, 9th of 13, 20 1/2l behind Silent Man (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in May.
Wig Wam Wiggle (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Mid-division, steady headway approaching 7th, hit next, 3rd travelling well 2 out, led on long run before the last, clear when edged right run-in, idled in front, always doing enough, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov beating Along Came Theo (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Clondaw Banker (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened before 5th, pulled up before 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Storm Warning (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Always in rear, pushed along and struggling after 4th, tailed off, last of 10, 35 1/2l behind The Dubai Way (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Vodka Red (IRE) 22-1 (10-13) Behind, headway after 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 7l behind Chu Chu Percy (12-2) at Newcastle 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Rory's Valentine (IRE) 80-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 15 3/4l behind Buckled (12-3) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Honeychile Ryder 14-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before last, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 16l behind Bassarabad (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Gentleman James 11-2 (10-0) Led, headed 4 out, weakened before last, 10th of 12, 23 1/4l behind Betancourt (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
