disputed lead until chased leader 8th, every chance 3 out, weakened after next
held up in rear, headway 9th, chased leaders next, every chance 3 out, kept on well under pressure
disputed lead until led 8th, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, lost touch 5 out, remote 5th
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, led 2 out, soon challenged, stayed on well (2 fences omitted)
NonRunner
My Manekineko is 0-16 over fences and his last victory of any description came more than three years ago. Skipping On has gone well fresh in the past and is comparatively lightly raced. Charlie Snow Angel kept on for pressure at Kelso last week and is a past winner here but CASUAL CAVALIER beat him five lengths over course and distance in March and can confirm that form, despite worse terms. Neither Flaming Charmer nor No Such Number make much appeal on recent form.
Skipping On (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up, headway on outside before 4th, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened, last of 10, dist behind Teescomponents Lad (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
My Manekineko 7-1 (11-7) Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along in moderate 6th after 2 out, ridden in 5th at last, kept on and went 3rd inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Dontdooddson (10-6) at Sligo 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Flaming Charmer (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Made most to 12th, blundered and lost place next, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Casual Cavalier (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, under pressure 5 out, headway after next, never a threat, 4th of 9, 16 1/2l behind Inchcolm (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Charlie Snow Angel 5-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, 5th and held 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take modest 3rd closing stages, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 8, 16 3/4l behind Ubaltique (11-5) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
No Such Number 66-1 (11-12) Held up, steady progress 6th, weakened 13th, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Heavenly Promise (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Oct.