always towards rear, weakened 12th
held up, headway 3 out, ridden next, not fluent last, kept on
in touch, lost place 12th
always in rear
tracked winner until ridden 2 out, weakened approaching next
made all, 3 lengths clear 3 out, ridden approaching last, driven out flat
held up, headway from 12th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, stayed on towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
held up, lost place 9th, ridden 3 out, headway approaching last, not trouble leaders
close up, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
Western Jo bolted up on heavy going at Hexham but has been hit with a massive 18lb rise. Course and distance winner Mumgos Debut had no more than a schooling session at Perth when his only rival departed at the first fence but he's never won a conventional race off a mark this high. Nortonthorpelegend, Tikkandemickey and Dartford Warbler are also previous course winners but Never Up has never won beyond 2m1f, though was placed twice over longer trips in the spring. ROWDY ROCHER will relish conditions and Rachael McDonald takes off a handy 7lb. He gets the nod ahead of fellow mud-lover Sharney Sike.
Rowdy Rocher (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Towards rear, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 6th of 7, 17 1/2l behind Mumgos Debut (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Western Jo (IRE) 10-3 (11-11) Led until after 2nd, led again before 10th, drew clear after 3 out, very easily, eased closing stages, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Oct beating Haul Us In (11-7) by 31l, 13 ran.
Nortonthorpelegend (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 4th, soon in rear, outpaced 10th, rallied 5 out, weakened before 3 out, behind when pulled up before last, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Rouge Et Sage (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, tailed off before 2 out, last of 8, dist behind Picture Painter (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Mumgos Debut (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Led sole rival when left alone 1st, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Sep
Never Up (GER) 5-2fav (10-9) Prominent, led after 11th, mistake 4 out, ridden next, headed last, no impression final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Crookstown (11-1) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in May.
Calivigny (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Mid-division, reminders after 13th, soon behind, tailed off 3 out, 7th of 10, dist behind Jovial Joey (11-8) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Sharney Sike 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, left 2nd from 8th, one pace in 3rd from 4 out, 3rd of 7, dist behind Joseph Mercer (10-5) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Tikkandemickey (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Raced keenly, led until 5th, chased leaders, not fluent 8th (water), 2nd again 9th until 3 out, pushed along in 3rd and outpaced before next, weakened badly after last, last of 5, dist behind Forest Des Aigles (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Dartford Warbler (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 4 out, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, 26 1/2l behind Strongly Suggested (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
