tracked leaders, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace
tracked leader, led 6th, headed after 3 out, quickly weakened, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
always towards rear, not jumped well, pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, outpaced 6th, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
with leaders, led 3rd, headed 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
always behind
always behind, tailed off halfway
towards rear, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, led next, stayed on well
towards rear, tailed off halfway, pulled up after 5th
mistakes, led to 3rd, quickly lost place and pulled up before 7th
chased leaders, weakened after 2 out
in touch, headway 7th, weakened after next
Poker De Sivola is the choice here and is preferred over King Daniel and Mystified. The selection won well last time at Hexham when he got the better of El Dee. He won on soft ground that day and he has run well on heavy ground in the past so he stands out as the obvious selection. King Daniel rates the main danger as he is a course and distance winner but he struggled on heavy ground at Carlisle in November and for that reason he is taken on. Mystified was a fair sort on the flat and he has shown improved over hurdles but is another that will struggle to handle the ground and he can't be backed with any confidence. Amber Warrior is lightly-raced so should not be written off just yet but he has plenty to prove and for the winner we are happy to stick with Poker De Sivola.
King Daniel 6-1 (10-11) In touch, disputed lead after 7th, led before last, ridden clear, won at Catterick 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Amhairghin (10-11) by 9l, 16 ran.
Amber Warrior (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Made all, clear halfway, came back but stayed on well, won at Loughrea 3m ptp gs in Oct '04 beating Draiocht (11-7) by 5l, 4 ran.
Blackcurrant (FR) 100-1 (10-6) Mid-division, hit 8th, weakened 4 out, 10th of 16, well behind Witch Wind (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Boston Mate 100-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 6th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 16, 36l behind Super Baby (10-9) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Chateau (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division outside, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 35l behind Pee Jay's Dream (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
General Hardi 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Ever So Slightly (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
In Dream's (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Behind, headway approaching 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when hampered 2 out, 5th of 8, well behind Allistathebarrista (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in May.
Mr Tee Pee (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway over 5f out, wekaened final 2f, 7th of 12, 30l behind Smart Tom (11-0) at Haydock 1m 5f nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Mulligan's Pride (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) In touch, reminders 6th, effort after 4 out, soon ridden, no impression when jumped right 2 out, 4th of 11, 34l behind Newbay Lady (10-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Smart Man 100-1 (10-2) Towards rear when fell 4 out in race won by Pee Jay's Dream (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Poker De Sivola (FR) 3-1jt-fav (10-12) Led to 3 out, outpaced next, rallied approaching last, led flat, kept on, won at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov beating El Dee (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Jayenar 250-1 (10-5) Led, headed 4 out, weakened next and pulled up 5 out in race won by Tidal Bay (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 17 ran.
Justaharf 33-1 (10-4) Led, headed 6f out, outpaced3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 31l behind Tazbar (11-6) at Catterick 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Mystified (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Stainley (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Patavium (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In touch, led 3rd, hit 3 out, headed after next, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 15, 18l behind Polinamix (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
