close up on outside, joined leaders 7th, every chance when saddle slipped after 4 out, lost weight cloth and pulled up before next
chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon struggling, behind from 3 out
with leader, led 6th, made rest, 10 lengths last, stayed on well easily
held up, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon no impression, stayed on to go moderate 3rd and jumped left last
made most to 6th, chased leaders, lost place approaching 3 out, weakened
tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, ridden and effort next, soon outpaced, no impression from 2 out
held up in rear, headway after 4 out, chased leading pair next, no impression when blundered 2 out, lost 3rd last, soon weakened
held up, reminders 4th, losing touch when hampered 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
The trio for the shortlist in the finale are MISSION CONTROL, Wave Power and Frankie Anson with the vote given to Mission Control. Tim Vaughan continues in good form and Mission Control is a case in point. He is ultra-consistent and he has finished in the first two on all five of his starts over hurdles so far. There may be more to come from him and on ground that will suit he sets the standard for the others. Wave Power shaped with a bit of promise over hurdles at Hexham last month and as he hails from a yard that merit respect he is certainly worth consideration, especially as he should strip fitter for that run. Alan Swinbank's 5-year-old Frankie Anson could be of interest as he is unexposed and he was entitled to need the run at Cartmel earlier in the month on his first outing since March. Jurisdiction unseated his rider on his debut over hurdles earlier in the month at Cartmel, but he has won a bumper and he can't be ruled out. Mission Control makes more appeal and he gets our vote.
Baltic Pathfinder (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 16, 21l behind Classic Cut (11-2) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Donny Briggs 14-1 (11-0) Prominent, took closer order 3rd, led 3 out, headed approaching next, soon weakened, 13th of 16, 35l behind King In Waiting (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Fly Tipper 9-1 (11-0) Led, headed between last 2, soon no extra, 4th of 12, 5l behind Top The Bill (11-0) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct '06.
Frankie Anson (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, under pressure 3 out, weakened before next, 3rd of 14, 22l behind Going Wrong (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Jurisdiction 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, jumped left throughout, headway when unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Going Wrong (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft, 14 ran.
Shadrack (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, not jumped well from 6th, weakened after 7th, 8th of 14, 46l behind Wester Ross (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Wave Power (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) In touch, went 2nd after 4th, hampered by loose horse next, ridden and lost place flat, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 12l behind I'll Be Frank (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Weetfromthechaff 16-1 (11-0) Led, hit 2nd, headed 3 out, weakened next, 11th of 16, 25l behind King In Waiting (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Witty Banter (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) In rear, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by What A Buzz (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Mission Control (IRE) 11-4 (12-0) Held up in rear, headway 6th, hit 3 out, chased winner and mistake last, stayed on under pressure, always held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Arkose (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
