tracked leader, left in lead 11th, clear after 2 out, heavily eased run in
led, clear when hit and fell 11th
tracked leader until mistake and dropped to 4th at 10th, ridden next, no chance from 4 out
close up in 4th, went 3rd 10th, left 2nd next, chased winner, hit 13th, jumped slow 2 out, soon beaten
Nonrunner
Simarthur was due to run here yesterday and would carry a penalty in this if successful. PRESENT FLIGHT and The Backup Plan can fight out the finish of this with the top weight fancied to deny the hat trick seeker as he should settle better back over a longer trip having been much too free when only second over 2m4f at Hexham last time. The Backup Plan will have his stamina to prove but still makes more appeal than To Begin, who is making his debut over the larger obstacles. Mo Rouge ran his best race so far over fences at Carlisle but probably needs more.
Present Flight (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) With leader, in 3rd and no impression before last, soon left poor 2nd, 2nd of 11, 12l behind Friendly Royal (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
The Backup Plan (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Made all, shaken up before last and soon pressed, found extra run-in, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Sendiym (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Mo Rouge (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) In touch on outside, chasing leaders 15th, 4th 3 out, plugged on run-in, 4th of 7, 7l behind Settledoutofcourt (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
To Begin 25-1 (11-1) Held up, shaken up and in touch after 3 out, no impression when not fluent 2 out, one pace, 4th of 7, 13 3/4l behind Oh Land Abloom (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Simarthur 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Maggie Blue (10-0) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
