held up, outpaced 5 out, never on terms
held up in rear, headway 5 out, led next, clear when hit 2 out comfortably
held up, outpaced 4 out, no chance when blundered last
prominent, every chance 5 out, ridden and effort next, outpaced 2 out
led until blundered and unseated rider 8th
tracked leader, left in lead 8th, headed next, led again after 5 out, headed next, kept on, no chance with winner
held up, headway 9th, outpaced after 5 out, soon beaten
mid-division, close up 7th, led 9th, headed after 5 out, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, outpaced 5 out, soon weakened
Another Promise, Silver Sedge and Lord Rodney are the three to concentrate on in the finale and the vote is given to Silver Sedge. The selection is a course and distance winner and he beat Cloudmor here last time in decisive fashion. He jumps well and with more improvement to come he looks to have a leading chance. Another Promise ran a fine race from 7lb out of the handicap here last time and he will go on the ground so he is the obvious alternative to our selection. Lord Rodney ran a solid race at Haydock last time considering he was returning from a break, but he may be a bit high in the weights at present. Mandingo Chief is from a yard in form and is the other to consider, but for the winner we will return to Silver Sedge.
Darina's Boy 33-1 (11-8) Held up when brought down at the 7th in race won by Silver Knight (11-3) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 10 ran.
Another Promise (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway 5 out, chased winner 3 out, ridden and kept on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Neptune Collonges (11-9) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Silver Sedge (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up, smooth headway 11th, switched left and led 2 out, drew clear from last, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating Cloudmor (10-4) by 5l, 8 ran.
Lord Rodney (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked winner until 4 out, ridden and outpaced from 3 out, rallied over 1f out, chased winner towards finish, no impression, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Launde (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Led to 3rd, stayed prominent until weakened 4 out, 6th of 9, 37l behind Lou Du Moulin Mas (11-4) at Newbury 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Great As Gold (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) In touch, every chance after 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Dinnie Flanagan (10-8) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Jimmy Bond 11-4fav (11-9) Held up in rear, headway 10th, led 2 out, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Jungle Jinks (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Master Sebastian 8-1 (11-1) Behind, outpaced 11th, rallied and in touch 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 23l behind Silver Jack (10-10) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Posh Stick 11-4 (11-6) In touch, headway 10th, left 2nd every chance and mistake 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Uneven Line (10-8) at Hexham 2m 4f mrs hcp chs (4) gs in Nov.