not fluent 1st, led or disputed lead until ridden and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
prominent, lost place and reminders after 3rd, soon behind, struggling 7th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up next
tracked leaders from 2nd, effort 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with front pair before last
mid-division in touch, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next
held up behind, driven to chase leaders before 2 out, went 4th before last, kept on same pace, never on terms
mid-division in touch, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up next
mid-division in touch, tracked leaders 3 out, outpaced next, never on terms
held up behind, headway after 3 out, went 2nd before next, soon challenged, ridden and every chance flat, kept on, just held
led or disputed lead until went on before 2 out, hard pressed between last 2, hit last, ridden and kept on flat, held on
CHASMA has been raised 8lb for winning at Uttoxeter but further progress is expected stepping up in distance for this and Mick Easterby's mare gets the vote. Blake Dean is getting closer but never threatened the winner when runner-up over these hurdles last month. Jonny Eager made the frame at Carlisle last time with Darsi Dancer well beaten. Rocky Stone was also placed at the same meeting at Sedgefield and Marrakech Trader was third off today's mark at Kelso in October and could also figure.
Jonny Eager (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Prominent, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 16 1/2l behind Finaghy Ayr (11-2) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Darsi Dancer (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Made most until ridden 8th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, 35l behind Finaghy Ayr (11-2) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Rocky Stone (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Raced wide keen in touch, ridden 4 out, plugged on, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Courtown Oscar (11-11) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Marrakech Trader (NZ) 3-1fav (11-5) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders on inside after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden before last, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 8, 10 1/2l behind Andhaar (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Blake Dean 5-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 8th, one pace 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner after, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Turtle Cask (10-9) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
The Late Shift 22-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 6th, no chance with winner when blundered last, weakened run-in, 7th of 15, 13 1/4l behind Touch Of Steel (11-4) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Chasma 12-1 (10-4) Chased leader until after 2nd, stayed handy, not fluent 7th, challenged 2 out, led before last, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Rebekah Rabbit (10-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
Triumph Davis (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up behind, struggling, 5th, soon lost touch, 5th of 7, 25l behind Clan Chief (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Cumbrian Farmer 4-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, weakened from 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
