tended to jump right, tracked leader, mistake and lost place 3 out, soon weakened, left 4th and last next
held up in touch, lost place 10th, soon under pressure, 4th and beaten when mistake 2 out, quickly pulled up, lame
tracked leading pair, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden, headed approaching last, kept on flat
held up, headway 11th, went 2nd before 2 out, driven to lead approaching last, stayed on under pressure flat
jumped right on occasions, led to after 3 out, weakened from next, no chance with leading pair
RIGUEZ DANCER might just be the call ahead of Middleton Dene. Ferdy Murphy's charge ran a creditable enough race over 2m1f and seemed to need further. The ground should not be an issue and the stable are in form. Middleton Dene was a very smart horse over hurdles. The suspicion is that he might just need a little bit further so we are prepared to watch rather than punt this afternoon. Helvic Head has his first run for Joss Saville having raced previously in Ireland. On the bare form, there is some improvement to find in order to trouble the market principals. Cloisters Hill has been a disappointment while Vasodilator dotted up in a maiden hurdle at Bangor before running no sort of race in a handicap at Catterick. Two potentially smart recruits and Riguez Dancer is marginally preferred under the terms.
Cloisters Hill 150-1 (11-0) In touch, led 6th, headed 14th, chased leaders until weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Vforvictory (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Helvic Head (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened from 4 out, towards rear when hampered and unseated rider next, in a race won by Meet The Parents (10-1) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 in Jul, 15 ran.
Middleton Dene (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Held up, not fluent 9th, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, 4th of 7, 16l behind Checkerboard (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Oct.
Riguez Dancer 9-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner approaching 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 21l behind Reindeer Dippin (11-0) at Hexham 2m nov chs (4) hvy in Dec.
Vasodilator (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Raced keenly, led 1st, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 24l behind Sendali (10-0) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
