tracked leaders, chased winner from 4 out, ridden before last, kept on and held
led, headed before 5th, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, mistake 5th, headway before 4 out, weakened before 3 out
held up behind, headway before 3 out, soon went 3rd, kept on from last
tracked leader, led before 5th, kept on well from 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 3 out
Only six runners here but they are all in decent form and any of them could take this. Trust Thomas has followed his victory at Newcastle in November with three second placed runs where he hasn't been beaten far but he's not the most resolute. GREY LIFE was fading when coming to grief over 2m4f at Sedgefield but that was only his second run since his victory at Hexham in June and he should be ready for this. Blackwater King was left clear at Musselburgh but would have won anyway and a 7lb rise shouldn't prevent another big run while Aye Well has a penalty for a very easy victory at Ayr. Ballycool isn't the most consistent but ran very well to score at Uttoxeter and Vasco D'Ycy has dropped to his lowest-ever mark.
Trust Thomas 11-4fav (11-3) Soon in touch, left 3rd from 5 out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, always held, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Ubaltique (11-6) at Ayr 2m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) sft in Jan.
Grey Life 5-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, hit 4 out, soon outpaced, ridden after 2 out, never on terms, stayed on in modest 4th when fell last, in a race won by Sa Suffit (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Blackwater King (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Prominent, went 3rd from 5 out, led 3 out, about one and half lengths up when left clear last, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Jan beating Shine A Diamond (11-1) by 14l, 7 ran.
Ballycool (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) In rear and pushed along briefly after 2nd, driven and headway after 4 out, led before last, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft beating Crafty Roberto (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Aye Well 5-2 (11-2) Held up behind, led 4th, clear from 2 out, won at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Quicuyo (11-11) by 14l, 5 ran.
Vasco D'Ycy (FR) 7-2 (10-1) Held up in rear, struggling and behind 7th, headway approaching last, went 3rd flat, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Grate Fella (11-12) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
