held up mid-division, headway to go 4th before 8th, went 3rd 4 out, weakened before last
towards rear, weakened from 9th, pulled up before last
towards rear, outpaced 9th, headway before 2 out, ran on to take 3rd towards finish
always behind, tailed off before 9th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, outpaced before 5 out, headway before 2 out, chased winner from last, no impression
with leader, led before 9th, headed before last, weakened and lost 3rd run-in
led, headed before 9th, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up in touch, went 3rd before 7th, ridden to lead before last, soon clear
tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place from 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
Course and distance winner DUHALLOWCOUNTRY was only headed approaching the last when runner-up in this last year. He is still 5lb higher but his rider claims that back and the 10-year-old can go one better. Veteran Pamak D'airy might need this but has a chance at the weights. Rupert Bear is still a maiden over fences but kept better company last season and can't be ignored on his reappearance. Sky Full Of Stars wasn't beaten far on his chasing bow at Kelso and any improvement would see him bang in the picture.
Rupert Bear 9-1 (10-0) Tended to jump right, led to 6th, led again after 8th, ridden after 3 out, 3 lengths clear and staying on when blundered badly and good recovery by rider last, soon headed, kept on but held after, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Some Lad (10-5) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Sky Full Of Stars (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, went 3rd before 2 out, soon ridden, every chance run-in, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Casual Cavalier (11-8) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Downtown Boy (IRE) 100-1 (10-3) In rear and mistakes, struggling from 6th, soon tailed off, 7th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Volvalien (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Willie Hall 12-1 (10-9) Held up, towards rear, in rear from 7th, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Halcyon Days (10-0) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Pamak D'airy (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leading trio, went 3rd briefly 8th, left disputing 3rd 4 out until ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 5, 15 1/2l behind Mumgos Debut (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) sft in Apr.
Hi Dancer 20-1 (11-1) With leader, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 13, dist behind G'day Aussie (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Duhallowcountry (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, joined winner 3rd until soon after 4 out, ridden and kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Unify (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Spread Boy (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) Led, headed before 4th, ridden and every chance when hit 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 14l behind Humbel Ben (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Next Hight (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Soon behind, struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up after 13th, at Hexham 3m hcp (5) gs in Jun.
