led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed before last, no extra
tracked leader, every chance 4 out, not fluent next, rallied to lead approaching last, all out
tracked leaders, pushed along 11th, soon under pressure, weakened 3 out
Nonrunner
Flighty Mist looks out of his depth here but the other four runners can all be given some sort of chance, though Holoko Heights hasn't been seen since pulling up at Uttoxeter last September. Glencree made a winning start over fences when just edging out Pyracantha at Catterick and the latter's stablemate, Sir Tantallus Hawk, ran a lot better when finishing second to The Knoxs over this C&D earlier in the month. But the vote goes to PREDICTIVE, whose defeat of Three Chords at Uttoxeter looks a lot better now than it did at the time. With the ground likely to cut up, his proven stamina could be an asset around here.
Predictive (FR) 4-11fav (11-2) Made all, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Three Chords (11-2) by 7l, 7 ran.
Sir Tantallus Hawk 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, led after 3 out, blundered and headed 2 out, about 2 lengths down in 2nd when left in led after last, headed last 75 yards, no extra, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind The Knoxs (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) sft.
Flighty Mist 40-1 (10-8) Held up behind, blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Ice Image (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft, 9 ran.
Glencree (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Prominent, led 5 out, stumbled badly soon after, ridden after last, driven out, just held on, won at Catterick 2m 3f beg chase (4) gs in Jan beating Pyracantha (11-0) by ns, 12 ran.
Holoko Heights 9-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, jumped slowly and reminders 4th, soon lost place, pulled up after 5th, in a race won by Pouvoir (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gs in Sep, 7 ran.