tracked leader, led 5 out, pressed before last, headed run-in, ridden and rallied to regain lead towards finish
led, headed 5 out, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, chased leaders from 3 out, led run-in, kept on and headed towards finish
held up in touch, ridden and every chance run-in, no extra towards finish
in rear, tracked leaders from 3 out, every chance from 2 out, weakened after last
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before last
Not much recent quality on offer and KING'S CHORISTER looks the safest option. The Barry Murtagh inmate doesn't win too often but landed a C&D handicap in December and is generally consistent and reliable. Lucy Alexander takes off a valuable 5lb and he has been dropped a couple of pounds for a mid-division finish at Ayr last time. Dramatic Jewel is capable of picking up a small handicap hurdle and didn't do too badly when filling the minor position behind Carter's Rest earlier this month. However, he remains 0-20 in all career starts and may be worth opposing again. Abernethy looks the unexposed contender off a lowly perch and could expose any chinks in the aforementioned pair on this handicap bow.
Dice (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along 3 out, never dangerous, 10th of 17, 43l behind Sambelucky (10-4) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Miereveld 66-1 (10-1) Led, joined 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, last of 9, well behind Quiet Whisper (10-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Nov.
King's Chorister 11-2 (9-12) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 9l behind Carters Rest (10-7) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Dramatic Jewel (USA) 13-2 (10-0) Towards rear, headway from 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Carters Rest (10-7) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Abernethy (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Always behind, 8th of 14, 40l behind White Fusion (9-11) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
King Kalium (IRE) 200-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, chased leaders until 6th, soon behind, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Nowurhurlin (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Napoletano (ITY) 40-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in last, not fluent 4th, headway when mistake 8th, not fluent and ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 8th of 11, 49l behind Gulf Punch (11-10) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Aug.
