chased leaders, mistake 3rd, lost place and hit 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
mid-division, jumped slowly and lost place 6th, soon behind
held up, headway 5th, ridden 7th, weakening when blundered 4 out
in touch to 11th, weakening when mistake 4 out
chased leader, led 7th, ridden after 3 out, headed after 2 out, weakened flat
led to 7th, weakened 3 out
in touch to 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to lead after 2 out, hit last, stayed on
held up, headway 10th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, hit 4th, took poor 4th flat
always behind, pulled up after 5th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The opener can go the way of Scotch Corner with Bay Island and Meehan posing as the biggest dangers. A winner at Ludlow on his penultimate start Scotch Corner became unstuck last time out at Huntingdon when only fifth behind Party Games. This race looks easier and if reproducing his best he has to go close. Bay Island has shown enough in the past to warrant respect. His last win came at Exeter in October and since then things have not gone his way, but he took the eye last time out over a longer trip here and if improving from that is another to note. As is Meehan who steps up in trip after running well on both his starts this season. But for the winner we return to Scotch Corner.
Nephite (NZ) 16-1 (11-12) In touch, pushed along and mistake 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Cassia Heights (11-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Dec, 7 ran.
Scotch Corner (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Towards rear, some headway 3 out, soon no impression, 5th of 11, 30l behind Party Games (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (4) gs in Jan.
Protagonist 14-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, ridden after 4 out, one pace, no impression after, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Roman Court (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
Uncle Max (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake and weakened 10th, soon tailed off pulled up 2 out in race won by Smeathe's Ridge (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Bay Island (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-8) In touch, lost place 10th, mistake 13th, rallied approaching 3 out, hung left, weakened approaching last, 5th of 15, 13l behind Monger Lane (10-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Elegant Eskimo 40-1 (10-8) Took keen hold tracking leaders, losing place when blundered 6th, no danger after, 8th of 12, 46l behind Zaffaran Express (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (4) gf in Jan.
Hazel Bank Lass (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up, mid-division when stumbled badly 5 out, weakened from next pulled up 4 out in race won by King's Bounty (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 13 ran.
Jack Fuller (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Behind, jumped right 3rd, headway 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 15, 16l behind Monger Lane (10-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Plantaganet (FR) 8-1 (11-10) In touch, hit 2nd, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 13th of 17, 36l behind Darkshape (10-7) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (F) sft in Dec.
Gee Aker Malayo (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, ridden, struggling 12th, well behind when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Joseph Beuys (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Kadito 25-1 (10-0) Mid-division, blundered 6th, weakened 12th, 7th of 10, 47l behind Finzi (10-7) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Looking Forward 25-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 11th, ridden and close 4th when mistake and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Caribbean Cove (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 8 ran.
Meehan (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) In touch, ridden and every chance after 3 out, hit 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Julies Boy (10-11) at Leicester 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
