tracked winner, in rear from 4th, weakening when fell 5 out
made all, challenged from 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on run-in
chased leaders, blundered 6th, mistake 5 out, weakened next
in rear, tracked winner from 4th and not fluent, ridden and every chance last, not quicken flat
Coach Lane makes the long journey up from the south and can follow up a recent success, Kilmackilloge and Birdwatch could provide most danger. The Venetia Williams trained five-year-old was most impressive when beating Native Commander at Lingfield. There were some experienced handicappers behind that day and so the form does have a solid look about it and with more improvement to come this novice can go in again. Kilmackilloge was very impressive when beating subsequent winner Terlan. That was after quite a break as well so there could be more to come. Birdwatch has been well beaten in better races. This is more his level and he could play a major role. Rogues Gallery is from a top yard and looks a better prospect than the only other runner The Biker, but we return to Coach Lane as the likely winner.
Birdwatch 16-1 (11-0) Close up, led 4th to 12th, outpaced 4 out, 4th of 8, 39l behind According To John (11-6) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (3) gs.
Coach Lane 6-4 (11-12) Led until after 3rd, prominent, led 6th, shaken up approaching 3 out, kept on well, won at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov beating Native Commander (10-11) by 5l, 5 ran.
Rogues Gallery (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, left 3rd 12th, every chance 4 out to 2 out, weakened quickly and pulled up at the last in race won by See You There (10-13) at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 4 ran.
The Biker (IRE) 10-3 (10-7) Held up, headway 5 out, 5th and in touch when fell 4 out in race won by Coat of Honour (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 6 ran.
Kilmackilloge 11-8fav (11-0) Jumped well, led 2nd, clear from next, unchallenged, won at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd in Nov beating Terlan (10-7) by 17l, 6 ran.
