tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from next
led to 4th, chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
in touch, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, weakened after next
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before last
held up in touch, pushed along after 4 out, one pace from next
always towards rear
held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led 4th, clear after 3 out, easily
held up behind, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, chased winner last, kept on, no impression
Terlan gets the vote here and is taken to score at the main expense of Joy Box and Captain's Leap. The selection was a little disappointing at Kelso last time but his previous effort at the same track when second behind Faasel would give him every chance. The winner has since gone on to frank the form and if he runs up to his best Terlan should take plenty of beating with Tony Dobbin up for the ride. Joy Box won a bumper in good style at Hexham back in June but he fell on his hurdling debut at Hexham on heavy ground. He is probably best on a fast surface and may be best watched here. Captain's Leap has failed to complete on each of his last two starts and he had previously run at a trip that was too far at Hexham when fourth behind You're the Man. He travelled well for a long way in that race so the drop to today's trip will help him and anything Len Lungo sends to post in these type of events is worthy of respect. Don't Call Me Derek won well last time over hurdles but his trainer is eyeing up a campaign for him on the flat this season and we are happy to stick with Terlan as our idea of the winner.
Terlan (GER) 8-1 Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden next, no impression, 6th of 13, 10l behind Faasel at Kelso 2m nov hdl (E) gd.
Captain's Leap (IRE) 66-1 Prominent, blundered 4th, weakened appraoching 8th, behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Villon at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Dimple Chad 14-1 In touch and keen, blundered and unseated rider in race won by Jorobaden at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft, 18 ran.
Joy Box 14-1 Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway when fell 4 out in race won by Blairgowrie at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Pinnacle Ridge 50-1 Towards rear, out pace after 4 out, stayed on one pace 2 out, 4th of 14, 14l behind Seeyaaj at Kelso 2m nov hdl (E) gd.
Saucy King 16-1 Held up in mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression on leaders, 5th of 17, 24l behind Buena Vista at Doncaster 2m mdn nhf (H) gd in Jan.
Dont Call Me Derek 7-4fav Tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gs beating Coming Again by 5l, 16 ran.
Blue Rising 50-1 Towards rear, headway and in touch approaching 4 out, effort next, outpaced when mistake 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 12, well behind Habitual Dancer at Kelso 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (E) gd.
