in touch, dropped towards rear after 5th, headway and in touch on outside 8th, ridden to chase leader 5 out, outpaced when hit and lost place 3 out, stayed on under pressure to regain narrow 2nd last, no chance with winner
disputed lead to 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened from 2 out
made most, mistake and rider lost iron 10th, recovered before next, headed and outpaced after 3 out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, challenged 11th until outpaced 4 out, lost place next, soon weakened
chased leaders, reminders 9th, soon struggling, behind from next
in touch on outside, headway to lead after 3 out, clear next, stayed on well, well in command when not fluent last
tracked leaders, lost place 7th, behind when mistake next, soon pulled up
held up behind in touch, blundered 12th, soon outpaced, 6th and under pressure 3 out, stayed on dispute 2nd last, no chance with winner
North Stack was only beaten half-a-length at Uttoxeter last month and should make a bold bid to go one better here, despite a 4lb higher mark. Not So Sure Dick's form over fences last season left much to be desired, however, while Ballyoliver tackles the larger obstacles for the first time, though probably isn't badly treated on his hurdles form. The Boss must go on the short-list as he appeared to respond to blinkers at Newbury last time but it would be no surprise to see a big run from SILVER DOLLARS. David Arbuthnot's grey, successful in the race 12 months ago, is back on a winning mark and has probably needed his two most recent runs. With Kielan Woods claiming 5lb, he shouldn't be far away again.
Not So Sure Dick (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, closed 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 12, 25l behind Trafalgar (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
The Boss (IRE) 2-1 (11-3) Prominent, led 2nd, headed approaching 6th, hit 9th, went 2nd 4 out, every chance next, no impression last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Back Bob Back (11-2) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Junior Jack 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked winner, blundered and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Pensnett Bay (10-11) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) gs, 7 ran.
North Stack 11-10fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Dont Tell Sailor (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
Silver Dollars (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, riddena nd struggling before 11th, plugged on one pace from 4 out, never on terms, 7th of 11, 44l behind Mylord Collonges (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Ballyoliver 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leader until approaching 5th, went 2nd again 6th until 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 6, 28l behind Promised Wings (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Mysortofman 10-3 (11-6) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 5th, lost touch 11th, pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Run To Fly (10-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft, 8 ran.
Grand Article (IRE) 7-2fav (9-10) Behind, headway 12th, chased leaders under pressure after 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, never on terms, 6th of 12, 25l behind Ballyegan (11-6) at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
