held up, headway and in touch 11th, chased winner and hung left 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, blundered 8th, went 2nd 12th, lost place 4 out, 4th and no impression when mistake 2 out
led until headed before 2 out, no impression approaching last
held up, in touch, headway to go 2nd 4 out, led before 2 out, clear last, stayed on well flat
in rear, headway 13th, weakened 4 out
tracked leader, reminders 10th, lost place 12th, behind from 5 out
held up, pushed along 10th, soon struggling, ridden and weakened 4 out
A tough race to fathom and Russian Sky is preferred to Just In Debt and Finland. The selection is completely exposed but he is an adequate enough performer over staying trips and has few concerns about the prevailing conditions. Just In Debt has been campaigned in hunters events of late. Rated in the mid-130's over chase fences a couple of years ago, the handicapper is at least giving him a chance. Finland is perfectly capable of winning this if in the mood. His inconsistency is offputting and it is with reluctance that we oppose. Farington Lodge seems to need everything to go his way in order to win. It is to be hoped that a couple of spins on the all-weather have made all the difference to Aston as he looked to have lost his way badly before that. Black Smoke is difficult to make a case for. A surprisingly small turnout for a decent prize and we stick with the proven reliability of Russian Sky.
Just In Debt (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) Held up in touch, one pace from 3 out, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Devil's Run (12-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hts chs (6) gf.
Finland (UAE) 40-1 (11-3) In touch, outpaced 9th, ridden 3 out, kept on from next, no impression, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Hold The Bid (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs (3) gs.
Russian Sky 40-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 10th, effort 4 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Rambling Minster (11-7) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Emerald Destiny (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Behind until kept on from 2 out, never nearer, 7th of 15, 24l behind Silver Seeker (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Farington Lodge (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden 11th, never dangerous, 4th of 16, 42l behind Woodview (10-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.
Aston (USA) 16-1 (10-0) Soon behind, hit 6th, struggling 11th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Crackadee (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 9 ran.
Black Smoke (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Mid-division, lost place after 7th, blundered badly 3 out, kept on again approaching 2 out, 4th of 15, 20l behind Ballyvaden (10-2) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
