held up last, gained 2 places after 12th, weakened into 5th 2 out, never on terms
led, hit 11th, 2 lengths ahead when stumbled on landing last, headed and no extra towards finish
held up, headway chasing leading pair 5th, pushed along before 2 out, stayed on same pace
chased leader, ridden between last 2, 2 lengths down last, stayed on to lead towards finish
raced wide, chased leaders, ridden after 7th, losing place when blundered 9th, tailed off 12th, soon pulled up
soon held up in last pair, tailed off 12th, went remote 4th 2 out
NonRunner
INSTANT REPLAY won this last year. He has 5lb more to carry this time but has already finished second twice on this course this season so is overdue another victory. Flowery came good around this time last year and is 2-2 over fences. She also likes it around here but might need this. Espoir De Loire made a winning start over the larger obstacles at Musselburgh and further improvement is likely while The Paddy Pie is better than he showed at Wetherby in October and this course and distance winner is back on a winning mark. Protek Des Flos wasn’t disgraced over an inadequate trip at Newcastle following a lengthy absence but is best watched again here.
Runswick Royal (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Mid-division, lost place before 7th, soon struggling and behind, no danger after, 7th of 10, 27 1/4l behind Surf And Turf (10-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Flowery (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Made most, not fluent 4 out, ridden out, won at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Crest (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
The Paddy Pie (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Jumped right, mid-division, mistake 6th, behind from 8th, 7th of 9, dist behind Ballyvic Boru (10-13) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Instant Replay (IRE) 3-1 (11-13) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 2 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Calivigny (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Espoir De Loire (FR) 11-2 (11-9) Jumped well, made all, clear when not fluent 3 out, stayed on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Benny's Secret (11-5) by 2l, 8 ran.
Show And Go (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place after 3rd, struggling 5th, well held after, 8th of 9, 21l behind Flamboyant Joyaux (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Protek Des Flos (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, effort 2 out, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Dali Mail (10-13) at Newcastle 2m (3) sft in Dec.
