behind, pushed along halfway, soon weakened
mid-division, reminders 4th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, struggling 6th, behind when fell 4 out
held up in rear, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, headway 7th to track leaders, led approaching last, ran on well
towards rear, headway under pressure 7th, outpaced 4 out
held up in rear, headway halfway, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, headed approaching last, no extra flat
towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, headway 6th, effort approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace flat
tracked leaders until weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out
in touch, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, dropped rear 3rd, soon behind, pulled up before 6th
towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, brief effort 4 out, soon outpaced
mid-division, hit 2nd, not fluent and lost place next, no danger after
A competitive finale with Sergio Combra, Court One, Seymar Lad, North Landing and Etoile Russe all short-listed with the vote going to the last named. Etoile Russe won unchallenged around Sedgefield last time out when getting the better of Bollin Thomas. He has more to do here but with confidence on his side and the stable in such fantastic form he is worth siding with again. Sergio Combra was in touch when coming to grief four out at Wetherby last time out. Whether or not he would have won that day is any ones guess so he is beat judged on his pervious efforts which come up to standard. Court One has not been seen out since the summer but he did manage a win then so is worth noting in the market. As is Seymar Lad and North Landing who have both been a model of consistency this winter and both have a live chance. But for the winner the tentative nod goes to Etoile Russe.
Top The Bill (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden from 11th, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 34l behind Tickateal (11-4) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jan.
Sergio Coimbra (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) In touch, reminders after 4th, mid-division when hampered and fell 4 out in race won by Aston Lad (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
North Landing (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Held up in rear when brought down at the 2nd in race won by Etoile Russe (9-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft, 8 ran.
Court One 9-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway approaching 9th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed near finish, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Fu Fighter (11-0) at Worcester 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Jul.
Seymar Lad (IRE) 7-2fav (11-6) With leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 10, 14l behind Keenan's Future (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Kidithou (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, weakened from 10th and soon beaten, 11th of 14, 29l behind Tickateal (11-4) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jan.
Assumetheposition (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Behind, effort when blundered 8th, soon weakened, 8th of 14, well behind Malko De Beaumont (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Merryvale Man 13-2 (10-7) Chased leaders when fell 5th fell 5 out in race won by Birdwatch (11-0) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft, 13 ran.
Our Joycey 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon headed, outpaced from next, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Sabreflight (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
August Rose (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, outpaced 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 17, 9l behind Woodford Consult (10-4) at Newcastle 2m mrs mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Nowa Huta (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Chased leader, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Chickapeakray (9-13) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Etoile Russe (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, hit 4th, led next, driven clear after 2 out, unchallenged, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft beating Bollin Thomas (11-1) by a distance, 8 ran.
Northern Shadows 8-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 7th, ridden 2 out, kept on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Golden Feather (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Maradan (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Towards rear, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Merryvale Man (10-1) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Truckle 6-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 11, 23l behind Polar Gunner (10-9) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Opal's Helmsman (USA) 50-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 17, 3l behind Silver Seeker (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Swahili Dancer (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon behind, 10th of 14, 45l behind Percussionist (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Political Cruise 100-1 (10-9) Always behind, struggling after 7th, 7th of 9, well behind Wild Cane Ridge (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft.
Ireland's Eye (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden and weakened 4 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Ask The Umpire (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Ballynure (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Chased leaders to 6th, was soon behind, tailed off from 2 off, 11th of 13, well behind Piraeus (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Dec.
