not fluent 1st and 2nd, tracked leaders next, led 3 out, 4 lengths clear when not fluent last, soon ridden and one pace, headed flat, no extra
in touch, disputed lead after 2nd, lost place 7th, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, led 4 out to next, kept on same pace, ridden and no chance with front pair flat
tracked leaders, lost place and behind after 3rd, chased leaders under pressure before 3 out, soon ridden, 4 lengths down in 2nd at last, hung left soon after, led flat, kept on
made most to 4 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, modest 4th last
GOLD OPERA gets the nod in this as he'll handle conditions judged on his third at Hexham, where he only weakened on the run-in having jumped well. Island Confusion has had his problems since finishing second over hurdles here just over a year ago but would be a danger if taking to fences and Officer Cadet finished twice over fences in Ireland for Gordon Elliott, though hasn't raced since July. Never Up has won on the Flat and over hurdles but was well beaten on his chasing bow at Wetherby and may need more time.
Island Confusion (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 8th, pushed along 4 out, weakened after next, last of 3, 25 1/4l behind Just Cameron (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Officer Cadet 15-8fav (11-12) Soon rear of mid-division, some headway 8th, close up on outer approaching straight, challenged run-in, kept on without matching winner,, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Drive The Bus (11-12) at Wexford 2m 4f Yielding in Jul.
Raise Hell (IRE) 3-1 (12-5) Strugg aft 12; t.o & pu 3 out, at Friars Haugh 3m 2f gs in Mar.
Never Up (GER) 6-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 6th, not fluent 5 out, weakened after next, 4th of 5, 33 3/4l behind Boru's Brook (11-1) at Wetherby 1m 7f (4) sft in Nov.
Gold Opera (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear and in touch, went 3rd before last, every chance run-in, no extra last 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Mossies Well (11-8) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Duhallowcountry (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Led until after 2nd, chased leading pair until 6th, chased leaders in 4th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Got The Nac (10-13) at Newcastle 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
