held up towards rear, outpaced halfway
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 7th, pulled up before next
held up, headway to chase winner 9th, effort 3 out, 2 lengths down last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden 11th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up and keen, headway halfway, ridden 5 out, weakened 2 out
prominent to halfway, mistake 4 out, pulled up before next
chased winner to halfway, virtually pulled up flat
in touch, outpaced from 8th, never dangerous
chased winner until hit 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
made all, clear 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, held on well
Nonrunner
Adolphus, Just For Men and Black Smoke are three against the field in this competitive handicap chase and the vote is given to Adolphus. The selection was a fair second off this mark behind Midnight Gunner last time out. That form is solid and a reproduction of that effort would make him hard to beat. Just For Men rates the main danger on his latest third behind Zimbabwe. However he may just need the run after a 328 day break. Black Smoke is game and consistent and will relish conditions but he is hard to win with. Hold The Bird is another that could go well on his latest fourth behind Henry's Pride but he is often let down by his jumping. Of the others Carroll's O'Tully has conditions to suit and could go well off his light weight if his jumping holds up but Adolphus is in form and he gets our vote.
Gangsters R Us (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, outpaced 14th, rallied when mistake 2 out, not recover, 5th of 8, 35l behind Sports Express (10-10) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Sono 33-1 (10-1) Towards rear and hit 1st, ridden 13th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Caipiroska (10-11) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept, 14 ran.
Hold The Bid (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, blundered 5th, reminder after 6th, hit 9th, headway 11th, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 20l behind Henry's Pride (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Ballynure (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, outpaced 4 out, no impression, 5th of 11, 13l behind Looking Forward (10-4) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Fairy Skin Maker (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Always behind and pulled up 4 out in race won by Midnight Gunner (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f chs 0-90 (5) gd, 14 ran.
Adolphus (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway and in touch 11th, 2nd after 4 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 13l behind Midnight Gunner (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Flying Jody (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Led to 4th, blundered 10th, weakened 13th, 5th of 11, 13l behind Cash On Friday (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf.
Black Smoke (IRE) 11-2 (9-9) Held up mid-division, pushed along after 4th, never dangerous, 5th of 15, 22l behind Iloveturtle (9-10) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Tee-Jay (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Led, headed when blundered and unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Midnight Gunner (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f chs 0-90 (5) gd, 14 ran.
Carroll's O'Tully (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Mid-division, jumped slowly and lost place 3rd, not fluent 8th, progress when fell at the 12th in race won by Mr Ironman (10-10) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd, 14 ran.
Just For Men (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, every chance 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 19l behind Zimbabwe (9-11) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
