every chance 4 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, headway to lead briefly approaching 2 out, one pace
held up, smooth headway 4 out, led 2 out, easily
held up mid-division, struggling from 8th
close up, effort 4 out, outpaced from next
held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced from 7th
held up, steady headway 5 out, weakened from 4 out,
close up, led 6th, headed approaching 2 out, no extra
led to 6th, close up when blundered 4 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching next
prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out,
held up mid-division, weakened 8th,
towards rear, struggling from 8th,
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out,
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out,
held up mid-division, outpaced 9th, headway 4 out, no impression
close up, every chance 4 out, weakened next
From a shortlist of Bleu Pois, Shulmin and Lawaaheb, we will side with Bleu Pois to follow up his recent Carlisle win. The selection represents the in-form Howard Johnson stable and is entitled to improve both physically and mentally for his shock recent win. That was his first worthwhile run since showing plenty of promise in some bumpers in 2006 and it may just be that he has taken time to come to himself. He has, inevitably enough, risen 10lbs in the weights for that win but with the promise of more to come he may be able to shrug off that extra burden. Lawaaheb also won well last time out but he is more exposed. However, his recent win came off a much higher mark over fences and potentially well-treated here, he cannot be easily overlooked. Pendle Forest has won at the track before and shapes as if this trip will suit, whilst Moon Melody has been in fair form of late and a repeat of his recent second would see him in the shakeup. Shulmin returns to hurdles and may feasibly run better after a long break from the track; he is one who stays very well. James Bay has claims on the pick of his runs but hasn't gone on from a pleasing reappearance win, and so we will return to Bleu Pois for the winner.
Roman Rebel 50-1 (11-4) Held up, blundered 8th, pushed along 11th, lost place 13th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Dark Ben (11-1) at Kelso 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Mar '06, 8 ran.
Lawaaheb (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, led 3 out, jumped left last 2, clear flat, won at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Oct beating Mistral De La Cour (10-9) by 13l, 16 ran.
Bleu Pois (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 3 out, stayed on to lead last, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Oct beating The Hedge (11-12) by 4l, 18 ran.
Moon Melody (GER) 10-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and headway 3 out, chased winner after last, no impression, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Alfadora (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gf.
Tully Cross (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 12th of 20, 15l behind Ard San Aer (10-0) at Down Royal 2m 6f hacp hdl gd in Sept.
James Bay (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, lost place 7th, 6th of 8, 18l behind Alfadora (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gf.
Pendle Forest (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 18, 23l behind Balakar (11-11) at Perth 2m hcp hdl (5) gd in May.
Glen Rouge (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, gradually weakened from next, 8th of 15, 34l behind Middleton Dene (10-9) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Astorvale (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Always behind, 16th of 18, well behind Wee Bertie (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Mulligan's Pride (IRE) 9-1 (10-4) Mid-division, effort 2 out, soon ridden, no impression approaching last, 4th of 14, 22l behind Willie The Fish (10-6) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Charles Street 20-1 (10-6) Mid-division, outpaced from 4 out, 8th of 15, 19l behind Scott's Mill (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 1f amt hcp hdl (5) gd.
Amjad 22-1 (9-13) Towards rear, pushed along 5th, outpaced 3 out, kept on one pace from next, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Falcon's Tribute (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Happy Boy (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Led to 2nd, remained prominent until weakened 7th, 12th of 13, well behind Cash Man (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Scarrabus (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 13, well behind Flower Haven (10-13) at Hexham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Golden Snoopy (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Held up, headway 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 5th of 8, 15l behind Alfadora (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gf.
Super Boston 18-1 (10-10) In touch, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 15, 23l behind Bamby (10-8) at Perth 2m 4f sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Shulmin 16-1 (10-8) With winner, lost place 13th, soon outpaced, 5th of 10, 34l behind Matmata de Tendron (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
