always behind, tailed off 6 out, pulled up after 4 out
led, headed 3 out, one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced before 6 out, headway before 2 out, chased winner from last, kept on towards finish
held up mid-division and keen, went 2nd before 3 out until lost, no extra
behind, headway before 4 out, led 3 out, held on towards finish
chased leaders and keen, weakened from 2 out
held up mid-division, quickly lost place before 6th, soon pulled up
always towards rear, pulled up 2 out
held up mid-division, struggling from 7th
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 3 out
Brave Spartacus beat the rejuvenated Claude Carter by five lengths at Sedgefield back in October and is actually 8lb better off courtesy of the latter's penalty for his course and distance victory 11 days ago. Lochnell weakened quickly at Doncaster last time but is back in the right grade here and should go well. Bob's Legend would also have claims on his best form but hasn't raced since July. Always Tipsy is consistent but will probably find at least one too good again. ARISTO DU PLESSIS (NAP) is steadily improving and could be thrown in on his handicap debut if his latest fourth at Catterick can be taken at face value - he gets the nod.
Lochnell (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Held up in rear, but in touch, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to challenge next, weakened flat, 4th of 6, 20l behind A Shade Of Bay (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f mares hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Made all, clear from last, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Oct beating Claude Carter (10-13) by 5l, 13 ran.
Total Assets 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, ridden and weakened after next, 6th of 12, 32l behind Wicked Spice (11-5) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 25-1 (11-6) Raced keenly, mid-division, tracked leaders 4th, challenged 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden, one pace before last, no impression when lost place flat, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Definitly Red (11-6) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Always Tipsy 12-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway 4 out, kept on same pace from 3 out, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Uisge Beatha (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs.
Claude Carter 7-1 (11-2) Led, slipped slightly on bend before 3 out, headed 3 out, ridden and hampered 2 out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs beating Urban Kode (10-8) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Call It On (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Prominent, tracked leader 2nd, led when not fluent 3 out, soon headed, disputing 3rd and one pace when blundered last, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 17l behind Fix It Right (11-5) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Nov '13.
Bob's Legend (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway 3 out, lost place 2 out, 6th of 10, 31l behind Uriah Heep (11-9) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Jul.
Farragon (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, mistake 1st, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 14, 32l behind It's High Time (11-0) at Hexham 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Native Spa (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Chased leader until ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 17l behind Ballyvoque (11-8) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
