with leader, led 3rd, headed 5 out, one pace and no impression from next
in touch, driven and outpaced 4 out, no impression from next
tracked leaders, lost place 5 out, 6th and beaten when fell 3 out
led to 3rd, with leader, lost place 11th, weakening when mistake 5 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway and in touch 6th, led 5 out, ridden and hard pressed between last 2, held on flat
behind, blundered 7th, fell 10th
in touch, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
held up, struggling 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, blundered 6th, headway and in touch 9th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, no chance with leading pair
in touch, ridden to chase winner 4 out, rallied and every chance between last 2, kept on, held flat
mid-division when mistake and unseated rider 5th
always behind, tailed off 4 out
Another mediocre race where RECKLESS VENTURE is a very tentative suggestion to get the better of Seek The Truth and Neidpath Castle. The last-named looks reasonably well handicapped for this drop back to 2m 4f, and he acts well on good to soft ground, although there is concern that he has never won when it is any slower than that and so we will oppose. Campbell Gillies should be able to dictate and make it into a real test of stamina on the selection, Reckless Venture, who is also fairly treated and better still, acts well on soft or heavy ground, just edging him the vote. Neidpath Castle's two success have also come on soft and heavy ground, and this drop back in trip should suit. However, the yard has had just one winner this season and so can't exactly be described as being in red hot form at the moment. The Green Hat is not topweight for nothing and put in a decent performance when making the frame at Hexham last time. The ground will suit, though like the rest of them, he doesn't make winning into a habit. The profile of the contest suggests that a market watch is definitely advisable here, but without that on our side we will put up Reckless Venture, in the hope that our suggestion is not.
The Green Hat (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) With leader, led 4 out, headed final 100 yards, no extra, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Treehouse (11-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.
Hurricane Jack 8-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, lost place 4th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Shaking Hands (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Seek The Truth (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 5 out, went 3rd next, soon ridden, plugged on to go 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 20l behind Its Teescomponents (11-3) at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Reckless Venture (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) With leaders, ridden approaching last, led last 100 yards, headed towards finish, 2nd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Treehouse (11-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.
Toy Gun (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, 6th of 12, 35l behind Of Course (11-9) at Carlisle 2m 4f am hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Indy Mood 40-1 (11-1) In rear, ridden and lost place approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Abbeybraney (11-1) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (4) hvy in Dec, 4 ran.
Contendo 33-1 (9-7) Held up, fell 3rd, in a race won by Olifan d'Oudairies (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Neidpath Castle 28-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, no impression from over 2f out, 6th of 15, 14l behind Treehouse (11-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.
The Fabricator (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 4 out, not fluent next, soon weakened, 11th of 15, well behind Treehouse (11-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.
Instant Shot (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Held up, in rear, weakened from 5 out, 4th of 7, 34l behind Sea Venture (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Lusento (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 16th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 12, 32l behind Opus Cafe (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) sft in Nov.
Ellandshe (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened from 5 out, 3rd of 4, 50l behind Knockara Beau (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (2) sft in Dec.
