Darksideoftarnside won on heavy going at Chepstow in November but has looked in the handicapper’s grip in both starts since. EATON MILLER is 0-12 over hurdles and 1-27 in career starts but he’s placed twice over fences recently and is getting weight all round here on ground that suits. Fame And Hope’s second at Catterick at the start of the month was his best run so far and blinkers may bring about further improvement while Sartene's Son can confirm Bangor running with Loch Garman Aris despite being 8lb worse off.
Sartene's Son (FR) 22-1 (10-13) Prominent, led 3rd, headed 6th, prominent, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Jan beating Loch Garman Aris (10-2) by 10l, 11 ran.
Darksideoftarnside (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway from 4 out, 3rd when mistake 2 out, went 2nd last, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 7l behind After The Fox (11-2) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Ballintogher Boy (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, dist behind Deluxe Range (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) sft in Dec.
The Very Thing (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up in touch in mid-division, mistake 4th, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Hitman Fred (IRE) 15-2 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, stayed on after 2 out but never dangerous, 4th of 13, 16l behind Artic Mann (11-3) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Fame And Hope (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced 8th, rallied before 2 out, went second before last, rallied again on run-in but no match for winner, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Oliver's Island (10-9) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Stitch Up (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Raced in touch, dropped to rear 4th, pushed along after 6th, struggling before 3 out, plugged on to grab fourth after last, 4th of 8, 35 1/2l behind C'Est Le Bonheur (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Kildrum (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) In rear, soon struggling, pulled up 5th, at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Loch Garman Aris (IRE) 40-1 (10-2) Led, headed 3rd, led again 6th, ridden and headed approaching last, plugged on, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Sartene's Son (10-13) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Eaton Miller (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Prominent, jumped right 1st into rival, led after 11th, pushed along and headed before 4 out, kept on at one pace after 2 out, 3rd of 12, 6 1/2l behind Sandford Castle (10-5) at Taunton 3m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
