tracked leader until quickly weakened 3 out
held up in touch, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out
always in rear, weakened 4 out
always towards rear
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden to lead after next, hit last, kept on
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway approaching 4 out, soon pushed along, ridden after 2 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on
Vigoureux, Longdale and Persian Point are the three to consider here and preference is for Vigoureux. Persian Point is a consistent type and ran very well at Kelso last time behind One Five Eight. That was a decent effort in similar ground conditions to today's but he is still a maiden in eighteen starts so is overlooked. Longdale is the mount of Graham Lee so will have every assistance in the saddle but he has failed to complete in three of his last five starts. he pulled off a surprise win at Sedgefield two outings ago and, lightly raced, is hard to assess, but he may run well. Vigoureux has some strange letters next to his name in the form, but closer examination suggests he is on the upgrade. He was challenging for the lead when falling at Lingfield three outings ago, and was a game winner at Wetherby last time. He has to concede weight all round here, but Vigoureux is the selection.
Vigoureux (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft beating Albertino Lad (10-0) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Longdale 7-1 (11-0) Held up, behind when brought down at the 6th in race won by Oliverjohn (10-2) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 7 ran.
Magic Bengie 40-1 (11-9) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by I Got Rhythm (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hdl (G) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
Persian Point 25-1 (10-6) Mid-division, outpaced 8, hampered and left 3rd 2 out, led last, headed and hung left flat, 2nd of 10, 6l behind One Five Eight (11-7) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gs in Dec. Later dsq to 3rd.
Rifleman (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th to 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, well behind Kinburn (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) sft in Dec.
Silver Sedge (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) In touch, led before 4 out, soon headed, ridden and no impression from 2 out, 7th of 23, 14l behind Topanberry (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Ton-Chee 10-1 (10-12) In touch, headway approaching 4 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Clouding Over (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov chs (E) gf in Dec.
Dance Party (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Held up, effort and headway approaching 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 8, 11l behind Oso Magic (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft in Dec.
