mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, chased winner after 2 out until before last, one pace
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, blundered 7 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, headway from 4 out to chase leaders, led after 2 out, kept on well from last
towards rear and mistakes, outpaced from 5 out, headway from 2 out, chased winner from last, kept on and always held
always towards rear, tailed off, pulled up
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened from next
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Oak Vintage won at Kelso last month but a 10lb rise proved beyond him at Catterick last time. Sky Full Of Stars posted a better effort when third here recently but still finished behind runner-up ROXYFET (NAP). The latter has been in better form of late having tumbled down the weights since landing a double last year and he should go close given Micky Hammond’s charge won this in 2015. The remainder have all been struggling of late but Ulis De Vassy and Jokers And Rogues have both slipped down the handicap as a consequence and could bounce back at any time.
Maximus Maridius 6-1 (11-12) Held up behind, headway after 5 out, weakened before last, 6th of 8, dist behind Mercian King (12-0) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Jokers And Rogues (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Led and soon clear, hit 4th, ridden before 2 out, soon headed, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 29 1/2l behind Romulus Du Donjon (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Sky Full Of Stars (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on inside, led 2 out, headed before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 6 1/2l behind Rhythm Of Sound (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Oak Vintage (IRE) 5-4fav (11-1) Led until after 7th, led again before 8th, headed 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Middlebrow (11-13) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Roxyfet (FR) 11-2 (10-1) Close up, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, driven and kept on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Focaccia (12-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Ulis De Vassy (FR) 11-1 (11-2) Led, just headed when fell 6th, at Fakenham 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Thedfactor (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Towards rear, mistake 10th, reminders before 14th, never dangerous, 14th of 15, dist behind Havana Jack (10-11) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Duhallowcountry (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Prominent, led before 5th, headed 7th, led 9th until 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 9, 20 1/2l behind Rhythm Of Sound (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Glimpse Of Gold 7-1 (11-6) Towards rear, in 4th before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 6, 33 1/4l behind Saffron Prince (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Reverse The Charge (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) In touch on outer, disputed lead after 6th, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
