prominent, fell 2nd
held up, headway 9th, led and hit last, stayed on well
held up in rear, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before last
held up in touch, weakened from 9th, pulled up before last
close up, led after 3rd, headed last, one pace and lost 2nd last 100 yards
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, rallied and took 2nd last 100 yards
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out
led, headed after 3rd, close up, every chance 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, weakening when hit 3 out
behind, mistake 7th, soon pushed along, struggling from 9th, tailed off
in rear, mistake and unseated rider 2nd
An interesting novices' chase to open up proceedings and the leading players look to be Role On, Skippers Brig and our selection NETHERLEY. Donald McCain's runners have hit top form just lately and former Venetia Williams inmate Netherley has clearly proved a fragile gelding to train, with just five starts in a four-year career. He has never been out of the first two, winning three of those races, and he relishes plenty of cut in the ground. Tripwise this also looks ideal, he clearly goes well when fresh and he looks capable of taking this on his chasing debut. Role On, Skippers Brig and Stand On Me all have to concede weight courtesy of penalties for chase wins but they all have possibilities. Role On certainly looks capable of progressing now stepped back up to this trip after a two mile win here last time, and he is suited by conditions. The latter comment applies to Skippers Brig, who has won four of his eight races to date and was a winner over 2m 5f here last time. He looks likely to be even better over three miles plus, but Len Lungo keeps him to this trip for now and he should be bang there. Coe would have every chance based on his hurdles rating if he could reproduce that over fences but so far it has been a struggle for him and he looks best watched. Stand On Me has gone up 9lbs for a very easy handicap chase win here last time. Although that was not as strong as this contest looks on paper it seems churlish to knock him for winning by a distance and he has to be respected with the yard in form. Ragador has gone pretty well in a couple of chase runs so far and trip and ground suit, but he does need to improve. Bold Ransom is dropped back in trip, which is not certain to suit him, while Chief Dan George was rated miles ahead of these over hurdles and can improve for his Sedgefield chasing debut, though he looks more likely as a betting proposition when he tackles three miles and more. A real good race to open the day then and Netherley is the suggestion.
Role On (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, held on gamely from last, won at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov beating Stumped (11-2) by a nk, 11 ran.
Skippers Brig (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up, headway when blundered 4 out, soon ridden, driven to lead after last, won at Carlisle 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov beating Andrew Nick (11-8) by 2l, 10 ran.
Stand On Me 10-1 (11-12) Held up, headway to go 12 lengths 2nd after 8, stayed onto lead after last, drew clear flat, comfortably, won at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in May beating Oliverjohn (11-6) by 30l, 7 ran.
Auroras Encore (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Led to 7th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Serabad (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Bold Ransom (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Made virtually all, headed briefly 3 out, ridden last, drew clear flat, won at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan beating Tartan Snow (10-12) by 8l, 16 ran.
Chief Dan George (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-1) In touch, outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Cast Iron Casey (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Coe (IRE) 15-8 (11-2) Tracked leaders, tracked winner after 1st, blundered next, reminder after 4th, ridden after 4 out, weakening when hit 2 out, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Will Be Done (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Netherley (FR) 8-13fav (11-2) Jumped left 1st, made all, hit 4 out, in command before 2 out, shaken up after last, eased final 50 yards, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar '07 beating Ruby Dante (10-5) by 10l, 6 ran.
Ragador 11-2 (10-7) In touch, ridden 5 out, blundered 2 out, kept on to get 2nd flat, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Will Be Done (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft.
Sierra Victor (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Behind, never on terms, 7th of 10, well behind Skippers Brig (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Cadeaux Singer 25-1 (9-9) Chased leaders to 5th, no danger after, 5th of 9, 29l behind Viscount Rossini (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Sotovik (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Held up in touch and raced keen, hit 5th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 10, well behind Piraeus (11-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec '06.
