mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened next
always in rear
tracked leaders, led after 3rd, headed 7th, every chance 3 out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden when hit 7th, weakened approaching 9th
prominent on inside, hampered and lost place briefly on bend after 3rd, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on to chase winner flat
mid-division, weakened approaching 7th
always in rear, pulled up before 9th
in touch, ridden and weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, led after 3rd briefly, jumped right and blundered badly 5th, not recover and pulled up before 7th
mid-division, ridden 7th, stayed on
towards rear and jumped right throughout, mistake 4th
led, headed after 3rd, led again 7th, hit 3 out, ridden approaching last, driven out
mid-division, closer order 6th, ridden when mistake 4 out, soon weakened
always in rear
in touch, ridden and mistake 8th, one paced when mistake last
With fitness at a premium, Norseman Cateline should make a bold bid against the likes of Willie The Fish, Super Dolphin and Kirby's Vic who will all be better for the run. Norseman Cateline is a maiden after 11 starts, but is definitely going the right way judged on his latest effort when second to Jefertiti at Warwick last week. Michael Scudamore's five-year-old had been off for 19 months prior to returning to action over hurdles here in September, and should now be spot on after two runs over fences. He remains open to bags of improvement and can beat his mainly older rivals, with fitness and ability to handle the soft conditions not in doubt. Willie The Fish has been absent since April 2005, and although likely to show up well fresh, will certainly be better for the outing, as will Super Dolphin. Kirby's Vic needs to brush up his jumping on his return, while the market may tell us if any of the rest have been catching the eye at home, and for the winner we return to Norseman Cateline.
Super Dolphin 9-2 (10-4) Held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Magico (11-1) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec, 6 ran.
Norseman Cateline (FR) 5-1 (10-3) Chased leader, led 3rd, hit 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Jefertiti (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Willie The Fish (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, stayed on one pace from next, 4th of 14, 5l behind La Marette (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) sft in Apr '05.
Allez Melina 40-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, 5th of 6, 31l behind Cherub (11-6) at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gd.
Yaiyna Tango (FR) 10-1 (10-8) Held up when fell at the 4th in race won by Syncopated Rhythm (9-13) at Uttoxeter 3m cnd hcp chs (5) gs, 6 ran.
Real Definition 13-2 (10-6) Mistakes, held up, hit 1st and 6th, headway after 8th, hit next, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 9, 21l behind Sitting Duck (10-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Kirby's Vic (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, tried to refuse and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Lubinas (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Taksina 8-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, ridden 10th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 10, 26l behind Terramarique (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May.
