not fluent 1st, made most, hit and headed 4 out (usual 5 out), with winner, ridden before 2 out, soon one pace, weakened last
held up behind in touch, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd after last, no impression with front pair
tracked leaders, blundered 11th, outpaced before 3 out, ridden before next, soon no impression, held when left 3rd briefly last, no extra
held up in touch, headway 4 out (usual 5 out), chased front pair 3 out, went 2nd after next, led narrowly and staying on when blundered and unseated rider last
tracked leaders, chased front pair when blundered and lost place 3 out, soon one pace, left 3 lengths down in 2nd last, ridden and stayed on well flat, gaining towards finish, just held
pressed leader, led 4 out (usual 5 out), hard pressed when rider dropped whip before 2 out, headed narrowly when left 3 lengths clear last, held on towards finish
Nonrunner
Capard King made a winning start over fences at Southwell and should have more to offer. He's only 4lb higher and goes on the short-list as does the consistent Presented. Cultram Abbey is a previous course winner but he's yet to convince over this longer trip and course and distance winner Presenting Junior has no form on ground this heavy. SILVER TASSIE kept on for third on similar going at Kelso on his first start for Micky Hammond. Finian O'Toole's claim will aid his cause today and he's preferred to Stuart Crawford's pair Man With Van and Glenquest.
Capard King (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-8) Led or disputed lead until led 7th, made rest, ridden 2 lengths clear approaching last, hard pressed when edged right towards finish, held on, won at Southwell 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Seldom Inn (11-7) by nk, 5 ran.
Presenting Junior (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, struggling 4 out, ridden and weakened before next, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Ballydine (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 6f (2) sft in Nov.
Man With Van (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, mistake and lost place 3rd, behind from next, lost touch 13th, pulled up before 4 out, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Silver Tassie (IRE) 17-2 (10-10) Held up in rear, modest 4th when not fluent 5 out, went 3rd after 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to press for 2nd flat, no impression, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Vivaldi Collonges (11-0) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Cultram Abbey 5-1 (11-1) Led 1st to next, tracked leaders, lost place 9th, reminders and struggling after 11th, no danger after, weakened 4 out, tailed off when mistake last, 7th of 9, dist behind Smooth Stepper (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Presented (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Always prominent, went 2nd 5 out, ridden to lead between last 2, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Neptune Equester (11-7) at Kelso 4m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Glenquest (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and dropped to 10th 2 out, no extra, 11th of 14, dist behind Rossvoss (9-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
