always behind, tailed off from 4th
held up, pushed along and outpaced from 5th, weakened from 3 out
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra run-in
behind, tailed off from 4th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd at 6th, ridden and blundered 3 out, one pace
held up and keen, headway 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well
tracked leader to 6th, weakened from 4 out
in touch, ridden and rallied 2 out, stayed on from last
held up, outpaced when stumbled 7th, weakened from next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
A modest handicap that can fall to Dance Party, Albertino Lad and The Frosty Ferret look to be the main rivals. Mick Easterby's six-year-old is steadily improving this campaign and ran an excellent second to Silver Sedge at Sedgefield last time. Ground and trip are once again in his favour and he will take all the beating. Albertino Lad was just behind the leaders at the final fence when he stumbled badly on landing and unshipped his rider in the race won by Mikasa. If he keeps his feet this afternoon he should be involved in the finish. The Frosty Ferret was a decent enough hurdler but is a bit sketchy over fences. If he gets his jumping together he will make a bold bid. All in all a pretty weak affair and Dance Party should be good enough to take first prize.
Jexel (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden and struggling after 8th, went poor 3rd approaching 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 9, 37l behind Wild Cane Ridge (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft.
Dance Party (IRE) 10-3 (10-6) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Silver Sedge (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) sft in Jan.
Albertino Lad 5-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 11th, mistake and headed 2 out, 3rd and held when mistake and stumbled and unseated rider last unseated rider at the last in race won by Mikasa (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 5 ran.
Fearless Foursome 6-1 (10-11) Ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 12, 21l behind Front Rank (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
The Frosty Ferret (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) With leaders, led 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 11l behind Alfy Rich (11-12) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Nifty Roy 20-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 4 out, stayed on approaching last, no impression, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Alfy Rich (11-12) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Gaucho 50-1 (9-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 15, well behind Mr Prickle (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Ideal du Bois Beury (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place 3rd, kept on from 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 15, 31l behind Winds Supreme (10-2) at Newcastle 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Barney (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway 5th, chased leader next, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, 21l behind West Hill (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
