Sigurd has missed a couple of winning opportunities through bad weather recently and is certain to attract support after his demolition job at Catterick, when Iskabeg Lane and Spirit Of Hale were a long way behind. However, EVENT OF SIVOLA, who was 11 lengths behind him on that track earlier and is a massive 28lb better off with his rider's claim to help, can turn the tables. The Ogle Gogle Man was well beaten when runner-up over hurdles at Ayr but has won from higher marks over fences while Game Line is generally thereabouts at this sort of level.
Crystal Lad (FR) 18-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden after 15th, outpaced after 2 out, went fourth towards finish, 4th of 8, 14 3/4l behind Charlie Snow Angel (10-2) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Sigurd (GER) 13-8fav (11-1) Disputed lead early, led 4th, headed 7th, led again after 4 out, going well 3 out, drew clear before 2 out, easily, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Jan beating Furius De Ciergues (11-5) by dist, 9 ran.
Son Of Suzie 66-1 (12-0) Led, headed before 3 out, weakened, 11th of 14, 36 3/4l behind The Black Squirrel (11-4) at Newcastle 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Late Date (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) In rear, lost touch 7th, hit 9th, detached 11th, pulled up before 14th, at Southwell 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Palixandre (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Led until headed and weakened after 4 out, 5th of 10, 29 3/4l behind Getaway North (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
The Ogle Gogle Man (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up, pushed along after 4 out, stayed on into third 3 out, went distant second just before line, 2nd of 11, 22l behind J'Ai Froid (11-13) at Ayr 3m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Game Line (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Led, headed 9th, close up, ridden 2 out(usual 4 out), kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 13 1/2l behind Silent Man (11-0) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Derrick D'Anjou (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway between horses over 2f out, switched to far rail and ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 7 1/2l behind Armattiekan (11-2) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Spirit Of Hale (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 11th, went modest third on run-in, 3rd of 9, dist behind Sigurd (11-1) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Ciarabella (IRE) 18-1 (10-3) Prominent, led after 3rd, headed next, pecked 5th, led 12th, headed 13th, mistake 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 14, 21 1/2l behind Asking For Answers (11-4) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Event Of Sivola (FR) 4-1 (10-8) Fell 1st, at Ayr 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Iskabeg Lane (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, blundered 7th, ridden after 13th, kept on without matching front pair after 2 out, 3rd of 13, 32l behind Sigurd (10-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
The Reaping Race (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Towards rear, ridden and headway 4 out, plugged on flat, 5th of 14, 15 1/2l behind Trimmers Lane (10-0) at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
