tracked leaders, went 2nd before 7th, led next, headed before 3 out, no impression on winner from 2 out, weakened and lost 2nd last
jumped right, led, mistake 4th, soon headed, last and ridden 7th, well held after 4 out, went 2nd last
tracked leader, led soon after 4th, not fluent and headed 8th, led again before 3 out, clear before last, easily
held up in last, unseated rider 4th
Nonrunner
Delegate won at Sligo in August for Gordon Elliott before pulling up in a much better race at Killarney and has joined Keith Dalgleish. Barrys Jack won a novices' handicap at Perth on his chasing debut and has since won twice over hurdles. He's obviously on the upgrade while Robbing The Prey was headed right on the line when making his chasing debut here earlier in the month. Cracking Find jumped well in front and stayed on strongly to make a winning start over fences at Newcastle and is just 2lb higher but the vote goes to DERINTOHER YANK (NAP). Donald McCain's charge won over hurdles at Bangor then made a successful chasing debut in this grade at Carlisle before caught on the line in a better race on a return visit a couple of weeks ago.
Delegate 15-2 (10-0) Led and disputed, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Killarney 2m 5f hcp gd in Aug.
Derintoher Yank (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Led, mistake 2nd, ridden before 3 out, flashed tail when ridden and headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Nuts Well (10-12) at Carlisle 2m (2) sft in Nov.
Robbing The Prey (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, led before 5th, ridden and pressed last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Beggar's Wishes (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Barrys Jack (IRE) 4-7fav (10-9) Keen, tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden to chase leader last, driven and stayed on gamely to lead towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Oct beating Spectator (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cracking Find (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Made all, jumped well, quickened 4 out, driven when strongly challenged after next, left clear 2 out, ran on well, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating An Laoch (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.