held up, headway halfway, led 8th, hard pressed from 2 out, all out towards finish
tracked leaders, led approaching 6th, headed 8th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
soon behind, tailed off halfway, pulled up before 2 out
soon behind, tailed off halfway
in touch, dropped rear 5th and soon pushed along, never dangerous after
in touch, pushed along 8th, ridden 3 out, stayed on to chase winner next, every chance last, just held
held up towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 3 out, driven and effort next, weakened flat
led, ridden and headed approaching 6th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, pushed along 6th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, challenging when stumbled 7th, ridden when mistake 3 out, soon weakened
This looks another opportunity for True North, despite his 7lb penalty. A thorough stayer who loves the mud, he looks the type to be able to gallop these rivals into the ground and has the useful Gary Berridge to help him out. He gets out vote to complete the hat-trick. The veteran Mr Christie won this last year and is 1lb lower today. He also loves cut and should go well once again, though a place looks the best he can hope for judged on recent form. Blue Irish is a bit of a plodder who handles the ground but probably needs further than this to be seen to best effect. His yard are going pretty well though and the old timer may still be up to making the frame. Barton Nic did nothing wrong in winning a soft ground hurdle at Uttoxeter last time, but a 6lb rise should be enough to stop him here.