chased leaders, effort after 2 out, ridden last, one pace flat
held up in rear, mistakes 7th and 8th, headway 10th, outpaced approaching last
mid-division, dropped rear 6th, no danger after
led, mistake and headed 2nd, in touch, led again after 5th, headed 7th, chased leaders, ridden and kept on under pressure last
chased leaders, led 7th, ridden last, kept on under pressure flat
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, hit 8th, never on terms
with leader, led 2nd to after 5th, chased leaders, ridden and effort last, one pace flat
in touch, reminders and lost place 5th, mistake 9th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up after last
behind, headway halfway, ridden and effort approaching last, weakened flat
This is a very weak handicap chase and we like the chance of Highland Island, with Leopard Spot and Ravenscar put forward as the main rivals. Len Lungo's nine-year-old is not the most consistent of performers but is much better than he has shown recently. His third placing behind Native Eire here in October was a decent performance and if he could repeat that effort over this shorter trip he will be very hard to beat. At the other end of the handicap we have Leopard Spot who put in his best performance for some time when fourth to The Miner at Kelso last month, and he should go well for a stable starting to hit form. Ravenscar is another enigmatic performer but did perform with credit on his only venture over the larger obstacles, he could by vying for a place. Most of the others can be given some sort of a chance in a very modest affair, but we will give the vote to Highland Island, our tentative selection
