The veteran Polar Gunner has yet to win over a trip this far and the less exposed pair of Rich Lord and Willie Hall have also been best at shorter distances so far. Both Springfield Raki and Baltic Pathfinder disappointed last time having won their previous starts though the latter makes more appeal as he scored over track and trip. Border Reiver has done all his winning at Wetherby and a chance is taken on TEERIE EXPRESS here, as the C&D winner is now back on a winning mark and made a promising reappearance when third at Newcastle earlier this month.
Polar Gunner 12-1 (11-9) Led, driven and headed after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Time Out (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Saveiro (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Never on terms, 5th of 7, well behind Time Out (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Rich Lord 10-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, ridden after 4th, jumped left next, behind 6th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Storm Surge (9-7) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec, 9 ran.
Willie Hall 9-2 (11-6) In rear, mistakes 1st and 4th, headway 2 out, stayed on approaching last, never able to challenge, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Primrose Time (10-5) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Clouseau (NZ) 25-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, tracked leaders 6th, in 3rd and reminders after 7th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 7, 45l behind Kings Grey (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Nov.
Springfield Raki 6-1 (11-5) In rear, headway 10th, chased winner 14th until ridden 2 out, kept on one pace and lost 3rd flat, 4th of 8, 16l behind Wide Receiver (11-2) at Market Rasen 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Border Reiver 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division on inside, chased leaders after 5 out, ridden and kept on same pace from 3 out, never on terms, 4th of 14, 11l behind Cootehill (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Dec.
Pamak D'airy (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, weakened 5 out, 7th of 14, 38l behind Douglas Julian (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Baltic Pathfinder (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) In touch until mistake 12th, soon behind, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Apache Blue (11-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
The Thirsty Bricky (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Towards rear, fell 2nd, in a race won by Karingreason (11-8) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Ballymacduff (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Led, blundered 9th and headed, lost place and in rear from 5 out, last of 4, 20l behind Red Tanber (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Teerie Express 5-1 (10-11) Held up behind, in touch 10th, went 2nd 12th, led 5 out, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Playing The Field (11-3) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
