behind from 6th, soon reminders, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
with leaders, weakened 5 out
blundered 1st, led 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, one pace
in rear, behind when hampered and unseated rider after 4 out
chased leaders, no impression from 4 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
led to 3rd, chased leaders, led again approaching 3 out, kept on well
in touch, challenged 3 out, no extra from last
held up mid-division, lost place from 8th, stayed on from 2 out, no impression
in rear, headway 9th, in 5th and staying on when fell 4 out
in touch, lost place 11th
held up, weakened from 9th
PROFESSOR HIGGINS is the form pick to break his maiden tag first time over fences with both Fine Parchment and North Island worth noting. The selection has shown enough ability in hurdle races to suggest he is more than capable of being competitive over the larger obstacles. He ran well on his seasonal reappearance when finishing second of sixteen at Haydock behind Fredo. He has been unlucky not to have got his head in front as yet but if putting in a clear round of jumping he ought to be good enough to win an average chase such as this. North Island has moved around stables three times in the space of a year and has now settled into Peter Bowens stable. He was successful in a few point to points last season but has not really threatened the judge on his two outings this season. That said Peter Bowen is always worth respecting when sending out runners in the north so any market moves should be noted. Fine Parchment caught the eye when second behind Bow School at Musselburgh last time out on his chase debut. With that experience now behind him he is sure to be in the shake up this time around. But for the winner we return to Professor Higgins.
Double Past 7-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, every chance 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 15, 9l behind Smart Man (10-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs (5) gd in Oct.
Fencote Mystery 100-1 (10-9) In touch, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 40l behind The Panama Kid (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Fine Parchment (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders and keen early, every chance 10th, ridden and chased winner from 4 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Bow School (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Nov.
La Pantera Rosa (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, ridden, outpaced before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Final Veto (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Naval Attache 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, never dangerous, 5th of 6, well behind Wee Forbees (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) gs in Apr.
Nile Moon (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) In touch, led 2nd to 10th, outpaced when mistake 5 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Kealshore Boy (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
North Island (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, tracked leaders after 14th, blundered last, kept on, 4th of 9, 3l behind Kate's Gift (11-2) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) sft.
Professor Higgins (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, stumbled last, one pace, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Fredo (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Something Gold (FR) 18-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, weakened from 4 out, 5th of 16, 35l behind Albany (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f cnd clm hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Speed Up (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually weakened, 5th of 15, 37l behind Viper (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf.
The Ginger Man (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from 5 out, soon beaten, 4th of 13, 42l behind Bow School (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Nov.
Apsara 100-1 (10-10) Led to 6th, lost place next, weakened 3 out, 10th of 16, well behind River Shanakill (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f mrs mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
