tracked leader to 1st, went 2nd from 7th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
led, ridden approaching 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, one pace
held up in touch, led approaching 3 out, clear approaching last
in rear, hampered 7th, headway 10th, kept on 2 out
Nonrunner
held up mid-division, blundered 7th, outpaced and pushed along after 5 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
held up, mistake 11th, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out when badly blundered and unseated rider
Nonrunner
A very competitive renewal where it is not easy to knock runners out of the equation but BANNISTER LANE secures our nomination with Sherwoods Folly and Dawn Ride the dangers. Donald McCain's charge stays further than this and with Jason Maguire in such good form at the course, he ticks plenty of the right boxes. Sherwoods Folly has been given a chance by the handicapper. The front runner has dropped massively down the weights having not shown in Graded company. Dawn Ride is a course specialist. He was ridden with supreme confidence from a hold up position last time and one would expect more of the same. Gripit N Tipit makes his debut for new connections having left Charlie Swan. Canada Street won at the respective meeting two years ago and while handicapped to win a race of this nature, he does not always find quite as much as he promises. Laborec won well over a shorter trip and on genuinely testing going, this race is something of a leap in the dark on many fronts. Flake runs as if should get the trip but his recent efforts have not installed us with much confidence. Bannister Lane looks the best option in the trickiest of getting out stakes.
Gripit N Tipit (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 9th halfway, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 11th of 24, 35l behind Ballytrim (11-2) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-140 hvy in May.
Bannister Lane 17-2 (11-12) Led, headed approaching 8th, ridden 3 out, no extra when lost 3rd flat, 4th of 7, 8l behind Nirvana Swing (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Flake 9-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, outpaced approaching 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 3rd between last 2, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Zitenka (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Malko de Beaumont (FR) 17-2 (10-1) Always towards rear, 8th of 11, 39l behind Shining Gale (11-12) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Laborec (IRE) 11-4 (10-4) Tracked leaders, led 5th, stayed on well from last, won at Wetherby 2m 6f cond clm hdl (4yo+) (5) sft in Nov beating Calfraz (10-12) by 6l, 9 ran.
Canada Street (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) Mid-division, effort 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Justwhateverulike (10-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Dawn Ride (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Held up, mistake 11th, went 4th from 9th, led 2 out, kept on, won at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov beating Just For Men (11-12) by 7l, 5 ran.
Sherwoods Folly 9-1 (11-7) Led until 2nd, led again 5th, headed 7th, led again 8th, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Silver By Nature (11-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 14 ran.
