chased leaders, weakened 3 out, soon behind, tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 7th, weakened next
tracked leaders, under pressure after 5th, weakened next, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 7th, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
chased leaders, mistake 8th, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, led before last, ran on well
behind, headway when mistake 7th, weakened next, tailed off
led, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, headway 5th, chased leaders 3 out, never on terms
Grey Life, a winner over fences here last year, is rated 11lb higher over the larger obstacles so shouldn't be far away. Almost Gemini was successful over course and distance in November and has won since at Musselburgh. He was beaten over 3m at the latter track earlier this month but this is more his trip while there also possibilities about Touch Back and the lightly-raced Charlie Wingnut. SIGN MANUAL (NAP) bolted up in first-time blinkers at Catterick last time, however, and may be capable of defying his penalty if the headgear works a second time.
Sign Manual 8-1 (11-7) Chased leader, led before last, kept on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Kuda Huraa (11-11) by 9l, 10 ran.
Touch Back (IRE) 9-2fav (11-10) Always behind, pushed along 6th, soon beaten, 5th of 13, 20 3/4l behind Spice Fair (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Stow 9-1 (11-12) Soon behind, lost touch halfway, 6th of 8, dist behind Minella Hero (10-12) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Grey Life 9-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, blundered 7th, left 4th next, left 3rd 4 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, always held by front pair, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Cloudy Joker (11-7) at Catterick 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Ben Cee Pee M (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, soon lost touch, remote 5th before 2 out, 6th of 9, 32 1/4l behind Captain Redbeard (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Almost Gemini (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Rocklim (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Sultana Belle (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Towards rear, weakened from 4 out, last of 10, dist behind So Satisfied (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Charlie Wingnut (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Close up, pressed leader before 5th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on under pressure flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Chasma (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Morning With Ivan (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Behind, mistake 8th, headway next, no impression, 6th of 10, dist behind Runswick Relax (10-0) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
