mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 5th
mid-division, ridden approaching 5 out, soon no impression
always behind, pulled up 4 out
always handy, led 10th, ridden 3 out, jumped left last 2, driven out
tracked leaders and keen early, every chance 10th, ridden and chased winner from 4 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 5 out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden and held when fell 4 out
behind, lost place 4th, pulled up after 8th
mid-division, effort after 8th, behind and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, held when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
led until headed 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakening when fell 3 out
in touch, hit 5th, soon lost place, behind when blundered 8th, pulled up before 10th
mid-division, towards rear, lost place halfway, behind and pulled up before 4 out
HARCAS is a speculative selection to win this on his chasing debut; Run To Space and Bow School are the in-form horses coming into this and are the biggest dangers. Formerly trained by Michael Halford in Ireland, Harcas has not shown any of his old form for some time. Decent ground is vital to this horse and he has dropped to a very reasonable mark. Martin Todhunter's string are just beginning to hit form and he could well surprise a few here provided his jumping holds up against some experienced sorts. Run To Space returned to action with a good win at Kelso last time. This point-to-point winner is sure to be suited by stepping up in trip however, he encounters much different ground conditions here. Bow School has encountered his setbacks along the way which is the reason for his lightly raced profile. A dual point-to-point winner, he lacked the necessary change of gear at Wetherby. He might be vulnerable once again on this quicker surface. Ho Pang Yau is an exposed whose form is regressive while Ajay floundered on soft and heavy ground last season. He is worth monitoring for future reference but Harcas is given the vote.
Industrial Star (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) In rear, lost place 9th and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Mill Side (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Run To Space 10-1 (10-13) Mid-division, chased leaders 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on to lead flat, won at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Cromwell Court (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ajay (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden approaching 9th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Skippers Brig (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy, 10 ran.
Bow School (IRE) 2-1fav (10-8) Prominent, mistake 4th, ridden and mistake 2 out, soon no extra, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Tell Henry (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.
Fine Parchment (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, prominent 4th, weakened quickly 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Benmore Boy (10-12) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May, 12 ran.
The Ginger Man (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Behind, struggling 5th, never dangerous, last of 5, 31l behind Premier Dane (11-7) at Perth 2m nov chs (4) gd in Jul.
Mick Finan (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Prominent, weakened 2 out, 12th of 22, 35l behind Farringdon (11-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdle hvy in Oct.
Snow's Ride 33-1 (10-13) Held up, pushed along 5th, soon lost place, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 14l behind Breaking Storm (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Harcas (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Prominent, driven and weakened 4 out, 14th of 15, 41l behind Warsaw Pact (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Teviot Lass 10-1 (10-1) Mid-division, pushed along 4th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Storm Prospect (11-7) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Ho Pang Yau 8-1 (9-12) Behind, kept on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 16l behind Red Man Ray (11-5) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Bronze Dancer (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Valerius (11-3) at Perth 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Sept.
Jupsala (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Led 4th to 13th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by The Sneakster (9-9) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May, 9 ran.