mid-division, took closer order approaching 9th, ridden approaching 4 out, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
held up, in touch, hit 2nd, left in lead after 8th, blundered 3 out, under pressure next, headed approaching last, kept on same pace
led to 3rd, tracked leader, left in lead 8th, soon hung badly left on stable bend and headed, weakened approaching 5 out
held up, towards rear, headway to chase leaders 11th, in 3rd and one pace when stumbled badly and fell 3 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened approaching 4 out, left poor 3rd 3 out
held up, in rear, fell 10th
with leader, led 3rd, fell 8th
held up and mistakes, soon struggling, tailed off from 6 out
Conditions suit BELEM RANGER and he is preferred to Bow School, I See A Star and Simonsberg. The selection failed to last home when last seen on the racetrack at Kelso in May but is dropped in trip today. He won this race last year (at 50/1!) and with good ground suiting this son of Presenting he is taken to lead them all home. Bow School is a fellow course and distance winner and this former Howard Johnson inmate is another who relishes good ground. Rain would be an issue but without precipitation he should run well. I See A Star will have fitness on his side after a recent spin around Wetherby. He ran well there before getting tired and over this shorter trip he rates a big threat from the front. Irish challenger Simonsberg is a player on official ratings. He was pulled up at Down Royal when last seen but his earlier point-to-point and hunter chase form looks solid (started favourite for a big race at Stratford last May) and he has won up in Scotland before. Briscoe Place has been in good form between the flags of late and is better than his previous efforts on the racecourse proper might suggest, whilst Run For Moor is bred to be a chaser so better is expected now tackling fences for the first time. Belem Ranger gets the nod.
Belem Ranger (IRE) 12-1 (12-3) Tracked leader, ridden 4 out, weakened from last, 6th of 12, 16l behind Almost Blue (11-8) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (6) gd in May.
Bow School (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Made all, blundered 11th, driven clear approaching last, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Hi Dancer (10-12) by 6l, 4 ran.
I See A Star 6-1 (12-0) Led, edged left after 9th, headed before 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Robbers Glen (12-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (6) sft.
Simonsberg (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 7th, ridden into moderate 7th 2 out, no impression, pulled up before last, in a race won by Agus A Vic (12-0) at Down Royal 2m 7f hts chs sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Benny Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Ur 1, in a race won by Lutin Du Moulin (11-0) at Witton Castle 3m ptp gs, 15 ran.
Briscoe Place (IRE) 8-1 (12-5) Stdy hdwy 12; led app 3 out; ro wl, won at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd beating Amicelli (12-5) by 7l, 10 ran.
Run For Moor (IRE) 10-1 (12-5) Led 5-10; wknd 14; to & pu 3 out, in a race won by Dix Villez (12-5) at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Dec, 11 ran.
To The Wire 14-1 (12-5) Prom; led app 6 til hdd 11; wknd 15; to & pu 2 out, in a race won by Northern Revoque (11-12) at Whittington 3m ptp in Apr, 10 ran.
