chased leaders, mistake 2nd, jumped left 6th, mistake 2 out, went 2nd before last, not threaten winner flat
in rear, mistake 11th, behind 14th, tailed off next, pulled up before 2 out
jumped right at times, led until 2 out, 4th and weakening last
chased leader, led 2 out, ridden out
chased leaders on inside, outpaced after 3 out, switched right after 2 out, rallied into 3rd and jumped left last, stayed on
towards rear, well beaten 14th
mid-division, headway 4th, hampered 6th, slow 9th, not fluent 11th, struggling when jumped right 13th, soon well beaten, tailed off
Hidden Commander had the measure of Mister Bell, Road Warrior and Jelski when scoring at Newcastle but never threatened back at the same track last time. Carlisle winner Ashjan also failed to figure on his latest outing so BARON DE MIDLETON gets the vote. The latter finally opened his account over fences when successful at Newcastle last week and a conditional’s allowance negates today’s penalty.
Baron De Midleton (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Midfield, headway to lead 3 out, went clear 2 out, ridden approaching last where not fluent, comfortable, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Hello Judge (11-0) by 11l, 7 ran.
Jelski (GER) 11-1 (11-13) In rear, mistake and unseated rider 8th, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Road Warrior 12-1 (12-0) Led, headed after 7th, regained lead before 4 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened thereafter, 6th of 7, 28 1/2l behind Hidden Commander (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Hidden Commander (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway towards leader after 7th, clear second travelling well before 4 out, driven approaching next, soon weakened, just held third, 3rd of 6, 15 1/2l behind Slanelough (12-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Mister Bells (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division, not fluent 9th, pushed along 4 out, blundered 3 out and weakened thereafter, 4th of 7, 12 1/4l behind Hidden Commander (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Contre Ordre (FR) 33-1 (10-10) Towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, soon struggling, last of 9, dist behind Homme Public (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Ashjan 4-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, dropped to close rear 6th, pushed along in 3rd after 4 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 5, 21 1/4l behind Exit To Where (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in May.
