held up mid-division, headway after 2 out to chase leaders, led last, kept on well run-in
led, headed last, ridden and no extra run-in
held up mid-division, weakened from 2 out
mid-division and raced wide, weakened from 5th, soon in rear and tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden before last, weakened soon after
in rear, outpaced after 2 out, headway before last, chased winner run-in, nearest at finish
close up, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
held up mid-division, headway before last, kept on same pace
Getabuzz ploughed through the mud at Catterick to win a novices event last time but Oscar Tanner went close in a Class 3 handicap over track and trip on Boxing Day and that looks stronger form. MASQUERADE is less exposed than either of these, however, and the form of the latter's win at Bangor couldn't have worked out any better as the placed horses finished a distance in front of the rest and both have subsequently won. Our Boy Ben failed to cope with a penalty for his earlier win at Hexham when well beaten at the same track last time so Great Choice looks a bigger threat on his hurdling bow having gone close in a bumper last month.
Getabuzz 5-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, headway before 2 out, led before last, kept on strongly, won at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy beating Gold Show (10-10) by 9l, 6 ran.
Masquerade (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Led, mistake 4th, headed 2 out, looking held in 2nd before last, led soon after, kept on, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Goohar (10-12) by 2l, 15 ran.
Our Boy Ben 11-2 (11-5) Held up in touch in 5th, went 4th before last, weakened soon after, 6th of 11, 18l behind Seeyouatmidnight (10-12) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Crazy Chester (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, never involved, 16th of 21, well behind Oscar Hoof (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Great Choice (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) In touch, joined leader after 4f, led over 6f out, driven clear over 3f out, ridden 1f out, hard pressed and tired towards finish, headed final strides, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Son Of Suzie (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Dec.
Maxed Out King (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Pulled hard in mid-division, headway over 5f out, soon chasing leaders, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 11l behind Master Dee (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) hvy.
Cottam Maybel 200-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, last of 8, well behind Cloudante (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs.
Fairweather Friend 8-1 (10-10) Raced keenly, held up in rear, steady headway after 4 out, went 2nd and challenged approaching next, soon one pace, no impression from next, 6th of 14, 18l behind Kayfleur (10-7) at Ludlow 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Oscar Tanner (IRE) 7-2 (10-3) Tracked leader, driven to lead approaching 2 out, hard pressed between last 2, headed flat, kept on, held near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Calculated Risk (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec.
