in touch, headway to chase winner approaching 3 out, ridden next, weakened approaching last
mid-division on inside, lost place 3rd, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
held up, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
raced keenly in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, 5th and beaten when fell last
held up, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd next, soon ridden, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led before 3rd, made rest, ridden and stayed on well flat
led to before 3rd, chased winner until lost place approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden and kept on from next, no impression
soon behind, lost touch halfway, kept on from 3 out, never nearer
Nikola gets a confident vote in the finale, with Kilmackilloge and Planters Punch expected to provide the sternest challenges. Planters Punch won well on his hurdles debut and can pay his way again at a lowly level. However, his limitations were well exposed last time and he now has more to find on these terms. Kilmackilloge has taken time to adapt to hurdles but looked to be going the right way with a solid effort at Ayr at the start of last month. He has scope to improve and is fancied to give the selection the most think about. However, Nikola has caught the eye in both his starts for Nigel Twiston-Davies and looks a sure-fire winner in waiting. The five-year-old showed fair form when trained in the French provinces and handles a bit of give underfoot. Twiston-Davies has thrown him in against a handful of decent types since he switched codes and normal progression should be good enough to see him home in this company.
Planters Punch (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, reminders 3rd, outpaced from 3 out, 8th of 18, 32l behind Harmony Brig (11-10) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (5) sft.
Colonel James (IRE) 200-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 8th of 15, 36l behind Etched In Stone (11-5) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Dusky Dawn (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Always behind, 14th of 18, 46l behind Regal Heights (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Hush Tiger 80-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, every chance 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 15, 33l behind Alfred The Great (10-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Kilmackilloge 20-1 (11-5) In rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Harmony Brig (11-5) at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Nikola (FR) 10-3 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 18, 14l behind Regal Heights (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Silent Bay 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders to 4th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 18, 24l behind Regal Heights (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Monifieth 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 7th, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 33l behind Jontys'lass (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
Calculaite 66-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 5th, outpaced next, soon beaten, 9th of 18, 36l behind Harmony Brig (11-10) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (5) sft.
Sticky End 200-1 (10-10) Soon chasing leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 15th of 18, 48l behind Regal Heights (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
