tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 3 out, soon hard pressed, ridden and held on well flat
in touch, not fluent 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, soon every chance, kept on, held flat
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, not fluent 4 out, soon lost place, weakened next
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden and kept on same pace, no chance with leading pair
mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, weakened next
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, reminders and lost place 7th, behind when blundered next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always behind, tailed off 3 out
mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, mistake 7th, headway on outside next, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden, no impression
tracked leader, lost place 4th, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
Howard Johnson may well again hold the key to this contest, as he relies on The Knoxs in taking on WYMOTT, who beat one of his inmates easily at Kelso last time. We will side with the latter, trained by Donald McCain, as he looks very much to be going the right way. He put up a decent effort on his seasonal return at Carlisle in novices' company, and then beat a field of maidens at Kelso in facile fashion, having been stepped up to this sort of trip. With that plus conditions again in his favour we will just give him the vote. Nonetheless, The Knoxs will probably have benefitted from a tough race when staying on gamely to win here over two miles in November, and this step back up to three miles looks a positive. There should be a fair bit more to come from the gelding, who is feared today. Bel Hugo represents a stable that does well at the track, and he is related to winners with stamina, so a market check is advised for this debut run. With Keith Reveley's string in decent form it would be no surprise to see Club Class make a nice debut in this sphere, while Tyrone House should appreciate conditions and trip and could have frame claims. Wymott left a good impression at Kelso and can enhance his reputation today.
The Knoxs (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 4 out, led next, kept on well from last, won at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Diklers Oscar (10-5) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Wymott (IRE) 1-2fav (11-0) Prominent, went 2nd 3 out, joined leader on bit last, led flat, pushed out, easily, won at Kelso 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Mini Beck (11-0) by 11l, 12 ran.
Bel Hugo (FR) Astarabad gelding out of La Pitchoun.
Club Class 12-1 (11-0) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 14, 11l behind Double Expresso (11-7) at Southwell 2m NH flat (5) gd in Dec.
Playing The Field (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, pushed along after 9th, hit 12th soon weakened, 6th of 7, well behind Charingworth (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gd in Nov.
Return Perk (IRE) Bob's Return gelding out of Lucky Perk.
Rydale Lad (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Shuil Na Mhuire.
Seeking Power (IRE) 80-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, lost place from 4 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 4, well behind Abbeybraney (11-1) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (4) hvy in Dec.
Soldiers Tree (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Mid div, 6th & gng well 6out, sl hmprd on inner bef 5out, prog aftr 3out, ld last, so, won at Kinsale 3m ire ptp in Nov beating Mercury Bay (11-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Too Cool To Fool (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Always behind, 13th of 16, well behind Quantitativeeasing (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4-6yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Tyrone House (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Held up in touch and keen, led and not fluent 3 out, headed last, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Alvarado (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Nov.
Minouchka (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, detached from 8th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Mr Strachan (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
