tracked leaders, ridden, outpaced 5 out, weakened after 3 out
in rear, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
held up in touch, headway 4 out, led and jumped right 2 out, ridden and kept on flat
led, headed briefly 4 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on until no extra flat
tracked leader, led briefly 4 out, outpaced 2 out, ridden and stayed on well, flat
held up, headway 4 out, effort when blundered 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure to go 2nd towards finish
Eriskay gets the vote in this novices' handicap chase with Terlan and Ton-Chee the others to consider. The selection proved his well-being when he won well over hurdles last time. Connections clearly feel that he has a future over the bigger obstacles and although he has disappointed over fences here before, he will handle the ground and he should prove difficult to beat. Terlan does have the benefit of experience over fences but he has yet to really take to them and he was a big disappointment on heavy ground last time out. Ton-Chee certainly has the ability to win this race but all his best form is on a faster surface and for that reason we will take him on. Insurgent is another who has shown his best form on quicker ground and for the winner we are happy to return to the relatively lightly-raced Eriskay.
Eriskay (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd next, challenged last, ridden, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in May beating Corbie Lynn (11-2) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Ton-Chee 4-1 (10-12) Mistake 5th, always towards rear, last of 8, well behind Lutea (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f beg chs (4) gf in Jul.
Terlan (GER) 11-1 (10-11) In touch, effort 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last, 6th of 9, 46l behind Archie Babe (11-4) at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) hvy.
Kalic d'Alm (FR) 100-1 (11-5) In touch when fell in race won by Rasharrow (11-5) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) In touch, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, well behind Witch Wind (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Insurgent (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Close up on outside, disputed lead 5th, led 7th, headed next, soon outpaced, 4th of 7, 12l behind Flake (11-12) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.