tracked leading pair, effort 3 out to next, soon ridden and one pace, no impression approaching lasst
held up 5th and last, reminders after 4th, ridden and outpaced after 8th, never near leaders
tracked winner, challenged 4 out, soon outpaced, 2 lengths down in 2nd last, ridden and rallied flat, held near finish
held up in 4th, struggling after 8th, weakened from 4 out
made all, ridden after 3 out, 2 lengths clear last, all out flat, held on near finish
Stopped Out made a promising start over fences when second at Carlisle, only to fall early on at Hexham last time. He's sure to be thereabouts with a clear round, but the vote goes to EL DANCER. A Grade 2 winner over timber, he's already been placed three times over fences and was having his first start for over a year when running out of steam at Fakenham earlier this month. Lucy Wadham's charge can go one better here. The remaining trio are hard to fancy though Empress Orchid may improve for her recent chasing bow.
El Dancer (GER) 3-10fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 13th, joined winner next, led 4out, ridden 3 lengths clear 2 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Springfield Raki (11-1) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (5) gd.
Frank The Slink 100-1 (10-12) Off the pace in 5th, pushed along 8th, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 12, 36l behind See What Happens (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov.
Stopped Out 9-4 (11-0) In touch when fell 2nd (water), in a race won by Bold Sir Brian (11-0) at Hexham 2m beg chs (5) hvy, 6 ran.
Zazamix (FR) 33-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, weakened from 8th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Persian Gates (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct, 11 ran.
Empress Orchid 16-1 (10-7) Led, hit 8th, headed before last, soon ridden, no chance with winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Bold Sir Brian (11-0) at Hexham 2m beg chs (5) hvy.
