mid-division on inside, not fluent 2nd, some headway 5th, weakened after 3 out
led, clear after 3rd, hit 4th, reduced lead when mistake 3 out, soon headed, weakened before next
held up in rear, headway 3 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd before last
tracked leader until after 3rd, led after 3 out, headed before last, no impression on winner flat, kept on
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened before 5th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, never on terms
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, ridden and weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, challenged going well 2 out, led and edged left last, drawing clear when edged right 100 yards out
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened before last
chased leaders, lost place 3 out, went 4th and stayed on same pace approaching last
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, behind next, pulled up before last
prominent, went 2nd after 3rd, every chance before 2 out, weakened before last
withdrawn
Sleep In First is the only course and distance winner in the line-up, one of his nine career victories, and though he's run poorly in his last two starts they were over fences and he won over timber at Hexham in June. Mitcd scored over 2m4f here in April and ran well again over the trip on a return visit earlier this month while Handy Hollow has shown potential in maidens and should be winning soon. LOCARNO DANCER lost her maiden tag over hurdles at the 10th time of asking at Hexham a couple of weeks ago and still looks well enough treated to complete a double. Hear The Chimes is 5lb lower than his latest victory though that was in February of last year.
Handy Hollow (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) With leader, led after 1st, headed before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 9, 7 1/4l behind Crixus's Escape (10-12) at Hexham 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Stoneboat Bill 8-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in touch, led after 3rd, 10 lengths clear before 4 out, hit next, headed approaching last, no extra closing stages, 4th of 14, 8l behind Jassas (10-12) at Newcastle 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Hear The Chimes 10-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, chased leaders, every chance 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching the last, 4th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Prussian Eagle (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Sleep In First (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Led until after 6th, outpaced before 4 out, behind 2 out, stayed on flat, just failed to get 3rd, no impression, 4th of 6, 8 3/4l behind Endeavor (11-1) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Clondaw Banker (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division, pushed along on inside when not much room and collided with barrier after 4 out, soon lost place, no danger after, 8th of 9, 34 1/4l behind Fly Vinnie (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Hartside (GER) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, badly hampered 2nd, weakened after 5 out, 9th of 18, 23l behind Dalaman (10-12) at Chepstow 2m hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Pertuis (IRE) 50-1 (9-6) In rear, pushed along 4f out, soon behind, last of 11, dist behind Affair (8-10) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (6) sft in Nov.
Main Fact (USA) 40-1 (9-5) Soon tracking leaders on outside, 2nd 9f out, led 4f out, headed over 1f out, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Adherence (9-0) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (6) hvy in Oct.
Lucarno Dancer 17-2 (10-3) Mid-division, headway after 4th, led run-in, kept on well, won at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Mrs Grass (10-9) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Christmas In Usa (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, never on terms, 6th of 12, 9 3/4l behind Chozen (11-8) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Cherry Princess 14-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 8th of 12, 20 3/4l behind Betancourt (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Mahler Bay (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Led and gifted clear lead, reduced lead 4th, headed soon after 6th, weakened quickly, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind Dans Le Vent (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Mitcd (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, in 3rd before 2 out, led last, hard pressed, headed towards finish, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Bollin Line (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Nov.