with leader, led 8th to 9th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
behind, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous
behind, headway after 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway after 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened last
led to 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway 7th, led and ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on well
chased leaders, led 9th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden 3 out, switched right approaching last, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no extra towards finish
held up, headway 4th, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, not fluent 3 out, ridden and every chance after 2 out, hit last, no extra flat
Nonrunner
This is a very tricky race to assess and a narrow voite is given to Colouful Life, Red Scally and Darina's Boy are just two of many dangers. The selection appeared to lose interest over fences last season but has been running well enough over hurdles to suggest he can win a race of this nature off his current mark. Earlier this year he was running off a rating of 140 over fences and so if anywhere near back to his best he would stroll this off 103. Red Scally's form speaks for itself having landed the four-timer in the mud at Towcester. With conditions in his favour again this afternoon he will be a tough nut to crack. Darina's Boy reverts hurdles following a poor spell over fences and doesn't look too badly treated on ground that will suit. Billy Bush and Aston Lad are two others worthy of a mention, but our idea of the winner is Colourful Life.
Through The Rye 11-1 (11-12) With winner, effort between last 2, ridden and outpaced approaching last, rallied flat, no impression, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Torkinking (11-10) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
Totally Scottish 16-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, held in 5th when went left last, 5th of 16, 20l behind Material World (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) sft.
Aston Lad 5-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 3 out, effort next, no impression approaching last, 5th of 10, 10l behind Into The Shadows (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Billy Bush (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Held up, smooth headway from 7th to track leader approaching 3 out, led next, driven out run-in, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov beating Totally Scottish (11-5) by 6l, 10 ran.
Huka Lodge (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Made most until 2 out, kept on under pressure from last, just held, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Datito (10-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Allistathebarrista (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) In touch, headway to lead 4 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Heraldry (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (4) sft.
Red Scally 5-6fav (11-8) Held up, headway 7th, ridden to lead after 2 out, pecked last, kept on, won at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Nov beating Obaki de Grissay (10-12) by 2l, 9 ran.
Michaels Dream (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Raced wide, led to 7th, led again 10th, headed before 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 8, 7l behind Negus de Beaumont (10-5) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Darina's Boy 20-1 (11-5) Held up, outpaced 5 out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 29l behind Another Promise (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Colourful Life (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Disputed lead until weakened approaching 8th, last of 10, well behind Piraeus (11-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Minster Shadow 9-2 (11-9) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner next, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Zaffie Parson (10-10) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Great As Gold (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, left in lead 8th, headed next, led again after 5 out, headed next, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Another Promise (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Mr Woodentop (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) In touch, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Dinnie Flanagan (10-8) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
