held up in rear, shaken up before 2 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, went 2nd when bumped slightly 3rd, every chance 3 out, no impression on winner after 2 out, mistake and lost 2nd last
made all, pressed 3 out until next, clear before last, easily
tracked leaders, mistake 1st, pushed along after 3 out, 3 lengths 3rd when fell 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, headway 4th, left 3rd 2 out, not fluent and went 2nd last, no impression on winner, lost 2nd close home
mid-division, went badly left 1st, headway 3 out, no impression when hampered next
chased leaders, mistake 1st, lost place before 3 out, behind when hampered 2 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, some headway into 15 lengths 5th last, stayed on, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner
chased leaders, lost place 4th, not fluent next, behind after 3 out
tracked winner until 3rd, lost place after 3 out, hampered when weakening 2 out
BULKOV is the only one with an official rating having finished runner-up at Hexham a fortnight ago, only his third start since arriving from France. The front pair were clear of the remainder and, though more rain would help, he looks the one to be on. Big Time Dancer, three times a winner on the Flat, made a reasonable debut over timber at Wetherby and will be a threat while Character Onesie, another three-times winner on the level, will have come on for his run at Bangor. Chookie Royale, the winner of 15 races on the Flat but not seen for over a year, makes a belated debut over obstacles but is rated in a different league to those who have run on the level and has to be greatly respected.
Adherence 9-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside 7f out, went 2nd inside 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on, won at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (6) hvy in Oct beating Eyreborn (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Big Time Dancer (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hampered 2nd, headway after 6th, 5th 3 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on winner, 3rd of 16, 14 1/2l behind Kalashnikov (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Bulkov (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, led before last, headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Go Go Lucas (10-12) at Hexham 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Character Onesie (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Behind, headway 3 out, never nearer, 5th of 13, 22 1/4l behind If The Cap Fits (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
Chookie Royale 16-1 (9-3) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well (hand timed), won at Kempton 7f stks (2) pol in Nov beating Golden Amber (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Drums Of War (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led, headed over 6f out, lost place over 4f out, 7th of 10, dist behind Delatite (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (6) gd in Oct.
Naasik 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on to take modest 3rd inside final 2f, no chance with clear pair, 3rd of 5, 16 3/4l behind Brecon Hill (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (6) gd in May.
Outback Blue 9-4 (9-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway on inside 4f out, 3rd when switching right well over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Metronomic (9-2) at Redcar 1m 2f stks (6) sft in Nov.
Porto Du Sud (FR) 22-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, lost place from 4th, 6th of 11, 20 1/2l behind Cesar Collonges (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
Randy Pike (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up behind, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, dist behind Wemyss Point (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Red Ochre 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, some late headway, never nearer, 9th of 14, 13 1/2l behind Jassas (10-12) at Newcastle 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Kick On Dottie (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, not fluent 2nd, lost place 3 out, soon struggling, weakened next, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Cabaret Queen (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.