with leader to 5th, reminder and weakened after 2 out
held up and behind, headway 3 out, pushed along and slight lead briefly before last, soon ridden, not quicken flat
held up and behind, progress 7th, pushed along after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
always behind, not fluent 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
prominent, joined leader 5th, reminder after 6th, led before 3 out, headed and ridden after 2 out, weakened before last
held up in touch, weakened after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, led going well 2 out, headed and weakened before last
held up mid-division, headway 7th, nudged along when stumbled slightly bend before 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, smooth headway 2 out, led going well before last, driven out flat
held up in touch, weakened 9th
led, headed before 3 out, soon pushed along, weakening when fell 2 out
Roxyfet found only one too good here last month and is a standing dish around here. He won this in 2017 though, along with Frankie Ballou, was pulled up last year and other may be better treated. Ripstick may be best at Hexham and is 0-13 under Rules while Grand Coureur is 1-26. Felix Mendelssohn is eased in grade and back on a winning mark so goes on the shortlist but course and distance winner TWO HOOTS has been gradually working his way back to full fitness and, with Brian Hughes back in the saddle, gets another chance.
Felix Mendelssohn (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led 5th, headed 8th, no impression 2 out, 5th of 8, 9 3/4l behind Reverant Cust (11-11) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Roxyfet (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Hampered 1st, behind, headway before 9th, every chance 2 out, held from last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Maxed Out King (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Thomas Blossom (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Held up, always towards rear, 8th of 11, 14 3/4l behind Head Lad (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Take The Crown 100-1 (10-0) Towards rear, tailed off 4 out, last of 13, dist behind Pagero (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Frankie Ballou (IRE) 22-1 (11-1) Mostly chased leader until after 8th, one pace in 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Pads (10-6) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Two Hoots (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 4 out, no impression with clear pair before next, lost modest 3rd flat, 4th of 8, 20 1/2l behind Dallas Cowboy (11-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Istimraar (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Maxed Out King (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Stormbay Bomber (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Led to 3rd, remained prominent, effort before 3 out, ridden after next, soon no chance with leaders, hit last, 4th of 12, 20 3/4l behind Dallas Cowboy (11-8) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Ripstick 4-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, closed 9th, went 2nd from 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Talkofgold (11-9) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Grand Coureur (FR) 9-2 (10-0) Led, ridden and headed 5 out, tracked winner until 2 out, rallied to chase clear winner last, 2nd of 6, 17l behind Miss Amelia (10-3) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Cyrano Star (FR) 66-1 (10-0) Chased leaders to 1st (usual 4th), soon behind, weakened last (usual 5 out), continued tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Mymilan (10-13) at Carlisle 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
