in rear, not fluent 2nd, ridden 3 out, no impression
chased leader until pulled up after 3rd
jumped right, led, headed 2 out, weakened last
chased leaders, left 2nd after 3rd, led 2 out, soon headed, no impression on winner flat
reluctant to jump off, held up, closed from 4th, lost place before 2 out
held up, effort 3 out, no impression next, went modest 3rd flat
held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway after 3 out, led after next, mistake last, ridden clear flat
NonRunner
This looks an open affair but RUBYTWO came right back to form when runner-up to No Trumps at Wetherby this month and the winner has gone on to provide the form with a healthier sheen by scoring again at Hexham. Nicky Richards' mare runs here off an unchanged mark and is expected to go close under talented conditional Danny McMenamin. Song Of The Sky gained reward for her consistency when winning easily at Lingfield and has every chance now returned to hurdling. Fejoada looks to face a tough test off top weight but is not easy to assess and could be anything while Princess Mononoke ran well on her return to action and merits respect.
Fejoada (FR) 11-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway on inside when not fluent 4th, left 3rd when hampered 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 19l behind Floressa (10-10) at Worcester 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Song Of The Sky 9-4 (11-10) Tracked leader, ridden to lead and jumped left last, soon clear, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Elisezmoi (11-12) by 15l, 6 ran.
The Crazed Moon (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Close up in 4th, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Alsa Mix (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Princess Mononoke (IRE) 22-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, one pace, 4th of 14, 7 3/4l behind Frightened Rabbit (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Hope's Wishes 16-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 4th, ridden after 9th, left 10 lengths 3rd when fell 4 out, at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Astra Via 11-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, modest 7th 3 out, no impression, 7th of 12, 24 1/2l behind Percy Thrower (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Born To Please 9-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (6) sft in Oct beating Sociologist (11-5) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Rubytwo 13-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, 2nd next, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind No Trumps (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
