chased winner to 7th, reminders and dropped rear next, soon outpaced, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden and lost place 9th, soon well behind, tailed off from 3 out
made all, joined 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on gamely flat
held up and behind, headway 5th, joined winner 3 out, ridden and every chance last, weakened flat
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
A tricky affair with a number of quirky types in the field. Trooper ran away with a similar event earlier in the year but the ground looks to have gone against Andy Crook's runner and we will avoid him today. Sireric won on his first bow over hurdles for six years at the last meeting. He still retains some ability over fences but has become frustrating to follow. Charming Admiral broke a long losing run for Anne Duffield recently. He has a tricky task off top-weight but should have few problems in staying the trip. The vote is given to Master Club Royal. He broke his duck over chase fences in November and was given a confident ride by today's pilot, Pauline Robson. The handicapper has been a little mischievous in putting him up 7lb for that success but course-and-distance winners do have a good record of following up at Sedgefield.
