BORIS THE BLADE loves the mud and he can see off Border Reiver and Samsbro. The seven-year-old has hardly been the most reliable of conveyances over the larger obstacles but he was a useful stick over the hurdles and with no issues in relation to the ground; we are hopeful that Ollie Greenall can reawaken his enthusiasm for the task. Border Reiver is more than capable of taking a hand though he has become somewhat frustrating. Samsbro was far from disgraced at Market Rasen on seasonal reappearance and could improve. Vamizi was well supported ahead of his recent run at Leicester. Dolans Bay steps up in trip having seemed to find two-and-a-half miles on the sharp side. A real stamina test that can go to Boris The Blade.
Samsbro (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up, when 4th approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to take 3rd flat, no impression, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Nirvana Swing (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Border Reiver 16-1 (11-5) Held up, stumbled badly 5th, chased winner approaching 5 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Youngstown (11-9) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Boris The Blade 15-2 (9-11) Towards rear, chased leaders 5th, pushed along after 11th, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 10, 29l behind Mr Strachan (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Vamizi (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Always in rear, behind from 8th, 8th of 11, 46l behind Bubble Boy (11-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Top Cloud (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) In touch, lost place 12th, behind when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Gershwinner (11-7) at Perth 3m 5yo nov hcp (4) gs in May, 13 ran.
King Raven (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened between last 2, 4th of 8, 15l behind Lets Go Girls (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Patchoulie Conti (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Treehouse (11-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp 0-90 (5) hvy, 15 ran.
Dolans Bay (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Held up, headway into mid-division 6th, ridden and kept on under pressure from 2 out, never trouble leaders, 5th of 12, 11l behind Garleton (11-4) at Hexham 2m 4f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Lusento (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 16th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 12, 32l behind Opus Cafe (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) sft in Nov.
