led, dived at 2 out, soon headed, chased winner, well held when went left last, held on for modest 2nd
held up in touch, closer at 5th, weakened before bypassing omitted 3 out
in rear and pushed along, outpaced before 8th, plugged on
chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, went 2nd again after 9th, pushed along and lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened 2 out
raced keenly, held up in last trio, good headway tracking leaders 8th, travelling well in 2nd before 2 out, challenged 2 out, led soon after, clear before last, stayed on strongly
chased leaders on inside, hit 5th, outpaced 9th, soon weakened and behind, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, reminders after 8th, lost 2nd after next, ridden and weakened soon after, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in last pair, closer in 4th on inside bypassing omitted 3 out, pushed along and went 3rd next, plugged on run-in pressing for 2nd, no chance with winner
NonRunner
BAILARICO took a big step forward when scoring last time at Catterick. Taking into account Caoilin Quinn’s claim, he is actually racing off a 2lb lower mark here. Ridgeway Flyer has been steadily improving since put back over hurdles but the same can’t be said of Poker Play. Crossgalesfamegame will be a danger to all if lasting home as he’s been running well in better company but Northern Poet has been hard to catch right. Zhiguli is another with stamina to prove but was second at Taunton last month just eight days after scoring at Huntingdon and is clearly tough.
Poker Play (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Led, awkward 2nd, headed 5th, slow 7th, ridden after 8th and weakened, last after 4 out, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Robin Gold (10-10) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Crossgalesfamegame (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, steadied before 2nd, slow 5th, closed approaching 2 out, not much room and switched left before last, edged right flat, went 3rd and stayed on, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind The White Mouse (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Bailarico (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up last of all, travelled well throughout, niggled along to lead before 2 out, quickened away after last, easily, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Maison D'Or (10-12) by 4 3/4l, 6 ran.
Ridgeway Flyer 12-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, closer and tracked leader after 4 out, pushed along 3 out,, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Premier D'troice (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Zhiguli (IRE) 9-4 (12-4) Mid-division, pushed along and outpaced approaching 2 out, ridden in 3rd last, ran on well to take 2nd dying strides, 2nd of 17, 3l behind Chinwag (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Virginia Chick (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, never involved, 8th of 11, dist behind Broken Quest (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Full Glass (FR) 150-1 (10-11) In rear, awkward jump 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Northern Poet (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-5) Held up in 6th, pushed along 4f out, headway and wide home turn, son bumped, 6th and one pace final furlong, 6th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Eye Of An Eagle (11-5) at Lingfield 2m (4) pol in Jan.
Potters Hedger 18-1 (11-0) Close up, headway 2 out, every chance next, driven and stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Haydock 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Farrants Way (11-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Howling Milan (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Pressed leader, lost place 5th, towards rear 6th, ridden but in touch 3 out, outpaced from 2 out, awkward last, stayed on flat, 3rd of 8, 14 3/4l behind Flight Deck (11-8) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
