raced wide in mid-division, lost place after 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 6th, driven clear approaching last, pushed out
hampered 1st, mid-division, pushed along after 6th, 5th and no impression when blundered 2 out
held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, never near leaders
close up on outside when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
with leaders, driven and hit 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, no impression from next
in touch, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
led, headed 6th, chased leaders until ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
jumped right 1st, held up towards rear, headway 5th, driven to chase leaders 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before next
with leader, driven and effort 2 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on flat, no impression
towards rear, headway 7th, chased leaders 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, dismounted
Nonrunner
Soft ground suits Osiris, who can return from a six-month break to score here at the main expense of Perfect Balance and Astronaut. Evan Williams' runner reverts to hurdles here, after enjoying a good season last time over fences. He looks potentially very well in at the weights on his chase form, gets the trip and relishes conditions, so we will side with him. In a poor race Perfect Balance can be strongest in opposition. He remains on the same mark as when runner-up to Villago here last time and is still a maiden over hurdles, so is not one to trust with the mortgage. Of the others, Astronaut has ability, though his yard are in and out at the moment and he looks to have a smidgen too much weight at present, so we will stick with Osiris to score.
Approaching Land (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, well behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Ball Games (11-2) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gd in Nov, 18 ran.
Compo (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid division, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 15, 40l behind Coljon (11-12) at Wexford 2m 5f beg chs sft in Nov.
Ireland's Eye (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) In touch, pushed along and lost place 3 out, rallied briefly next, soon beaten, 6th of 13, 25l behind Texas Holdem (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Nov.
Mikasa (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) In touch, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Silver Jack (11-12) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Osiris (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (10-1) Tracked leader, smooth headway to lead 11th, ridden 2 out, kept on well, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (B) hvy in Jun beating Curtins Hill (10-6) by 4l, 6 ran.
Perfect Balance (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) In touch, chased leaders 7th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, one pace when hit last, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Villago (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gs in Nov.
Pornic (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 8th, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Not Today Sir (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Nov.
Scotmail Lad (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Badly hampered 1st and lost place, behind when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Silence Reigns (12-4) at Stratford 2m 1f hts chs (H) gd in May, 20 ran.
Sir Lamb 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, lost place 7th, tailed off from 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Nifty Roy (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gd in May.
Atlantic Point (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders from 3 out, kept on under pressure from 2 out, 6th of 16, 14l behind Be On Time (11-4) at Sligo 2m 4f mrs mdn hdl gf in Apr '03.
Nobodys Perfect (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Always last, driven along 5th, lost touch before 8th, soon tailed off, last of 7, 35l behind Lady of Fortune (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Oscar's Lady (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Towards rear, outpaced approaching 2 out, no impression, 6th of 13, 22l behind Scotmail (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Astronaut 3-1 (11-5) Held up, mistake and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Lazy Lena (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gs in Nov, 9 ran.