towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, headway after 3 out to chase leaders, effort between last 2, no extra flat
mid-division, pushed along after 3 out soon beaten
tracked leaders, lead 7th, headed next, led again approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace
prominent led 4 out until approaching 2 out soon ridden and beaten
led to 7th outpaced approaching 2 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, led approaching last, ran on strongly
in touch fell 3rd
Yankee Holiday, Chukchi Country and Kalou look the main protagonists in this trappy handicap chase and the vote is given to Yankee Holiday. The selection would have won last time but for making a mistake at the last. He again has conditions to suit and off the same mark he looks the one to be on. Chukchi Country rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Lofty Leader but he just gave the impression he was in the handicapper's grip on that occasion and is taken on with this in mind. Kalou was fourth behind Mighty Fine last time but he is another that looks weighted up to the hilt. Of the remainder, Manoubi is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but he would not want any rain while Kerry's Blade may need the run after a 234 day break and for the winner we return to Yankee Holiday.
Kerry's Blade (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Not fluent 1st and next, behind, effort under pressure approaching 4 out, weakened from next, 7th of 11, well behind Lysander (11-6) at Hexham 2m nov chs (4) gd in Oct.
Manoubi 22-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway 13th, outpaced next, 4th of 7, 14l behind Lethem Air (10-7) at Hexham 3m 1f chs (4) gf.
Kalou (GER) 18-1 (10-7) Held up, chased leaders 4 out, no impression from next, 4th of 7, 19l behind Mighty Fine (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Red Sun 11-1 (11-6) Not fluent, close up, disputed lead 5th to 9th, behind when blundered 11th, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Manoubi (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Close up, led 8th, headed 3 out, every chance between last 2, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Delaware Trail (10-0) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Chukchi Country (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Led until headed approaching 2 out, gradually weakened, 4th of 12, 13l behind Lofty Leader (9-9) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Copplestone (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Prominent when fell at the 13th in race won by Panama At Once (10-3) at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Apr, 13 ran.
Gunson Hight 33-1 (9-10) Close up, headway to challenge 3 out, desputed lead next, soon ridden and led last and driven out flat, won at Hexham 2m cnd hcp chs (5) gs beating Hutch (11-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
