tracked leader, mistake 8th, led approaching 10th, headed before 4 out, weakened before 3 out
led, headed before 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, led before 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, regained lead last, just held on
in rear, soon pushed along and struggling, detached when pulled up after 9th
tracked leaders, ridden after 5 out, led 2 out, headed last, kept on towards finish
held up towards rear but in touch, pushed along before 5th, weakened before 3 out
Frontier Boy stays forever and must have a strong pace to bring his stamina into play. He had no problems seeing off Riskier at Sedgefield last time but that was over 3m3f and an 11lb rise may just be enough to prevent a follow-up. DANNY JOHN BOY had finished even further in front of Riskier when scoring at Hexham and has the call on a line through the runner-up though potential punters must forgive a poor subsequent effort from a 14lb higher mark at Newcastle. Bubbly Breeze ran a shocker at Carlisle a month ago but winning point-to-pointer Bishophill Jack has been aimed quite high in his two runs over regulation fences and looks the type to do better.
Frontier Boy (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Prominent, led 3rd until before next, tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, clear approaching last, stayed on, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov beating Riskier (11-2) by 11l, 10 ran.
Quizwork (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, tailed off from 4 out, last of 13, well behind Mighty Monty (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Bishophill Jack (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, went left and mistake 3rd, jumped slowly 5th dropped to rear from 7th, soon lost touch well behind when pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Graduation Night (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
Danny John Boy 4-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, weakened before 14th, 6th of 8, well behind Quetzal (11-9) at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
Bubbly Breeze (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Keen prominent until 13th, weakened 15th, behind when pulled up last, in a race won by Do It For Dalkey (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Tears From Heaven (USA) 16-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, reminders after 9th, soon lost place, 8th of 14, 49l behind Tanzanite Bay (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.