soon struggling in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 7th
towards rear, struggling from halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
made most to 4th, remained in touch until ridden and weakened 7th
close up, led 7th, stayed on strongly from 2 out
tracked leader, led 4th to 7th, ridden 3 out, not pace of first two
in touch, headway to chase winner approaching 3 out, effort next, chance last, kept on
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
It is hard to get exited about this dire event, but we will give our tentative vote to Corlande, Seattle Prince and Gunner Royal may do best of the remainder. Sue Smith is in very good form and that is the main reason we are swayed towards this gelding. As with the rest in the line up he has very little worthwhile form. However he did show some promise on his hurdles debut at Catterick behind Beanney and as it was his first run in this country he is entitled to improve. Seattle Prince was well behind Reveillez at Doncaster on his debut and can also be expected to progress. Gunner Royal hails from a stable amongst the winners and it is interesting that he reverts to hurdles following some fruitless ventures over fences. None of the others have shown any worthwhile form so we come back to Corlande as our idea of the winner.
Big Lugs 100-1 Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 12, well behind Diamond Mick at Kelso 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Bullies Acre (IRE) 100-1 Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 12, 39l behind Diamond Mick at Kelso 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Chris And Ryan (IRE) 100-1 Led, hit 2nd, headed 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, well behind Trisons Star at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Corlande (IRE) 12-1 Mid-division, lost place 4th, kept on from 2 out, never nearer, 7th of 16, 23l behind Beanney at Catterick 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Gunner Royal 11-1 Towards rear and not fluent, blundered badly 4th, soon pulled up pulled up at the 5th in race won by Polar Gunner at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (F) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Piraeus (NZ) 100-1 Always towards rear, 8th of 16, 41l behind Limited Edition at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Jan.
Seattle Prince (USA) 100-1 Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 15, 31l behind Reveillez at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Jan.
