towards rear, not fluent 2nd, pushed along after 2 out ( normal 3 out), no headway
led, flattened 4th, headed before last (normal 2 out), quickly pulled up
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 6th, weakened on extended run-in
behind, ran on extended run-in, nearest finish
chased leaders, led approaching last (normal 2 out), headed and no extra on extended run-in
always behind
mid-division on outside, no real headway before last (normal 2 out)
chasing leaders when badly injured and pulled up quickly after 5th
chased leader, mistake 4 out, weakened before the last (normal 2 out)
held up off the pace in last pair, good headway on inside chasing leaders before the last (normal 2 out), led on extended run-in, driven clear
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, went 3rd towards finish
chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out (normal 3 out), weakened
chased leaders, hit last (normal 2 out), ridden and one pace in 3rd on extended run-in, weakened into 4th towards finish
MILL FORGE was in good form here at the start of the year. He will almost certainly have needed his run over course and distance last month and looks to have a leading chance in this. Miro may have found 3m a shade too far here last time and looks a danger while Macardle makes his handicap debut having gone close at Hexham at the start of the summer. Green Zone runs his best races here so also goes on the short-list and Mighty Thunder is preferred to Ask The Tycoon of the two Lucinda Russell runners. Natter Jack Croak showed ability last season but is having a first run since January for new connections.
Miro (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, jumped left 3rd, mistake 6th, not fluent next, went 2nd 4 out until not fluent 3 out, beaten from next, well held 3rd when mistake last, 3rd of 8, 14 1/4l behind Justatenner (11-2) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Macardle (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before last, edged right and led again flat, headed close home, 2nd of 12, nk behind Calach (11-0) at Hexham 2m (3) gd in Jun.
Natter Jack Croak (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, 5th and beaten when mistake 2 out, 4th of 11, 11l behind First Assignment (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Ask The Tycoon (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, reminders before 5 out, soon outpaced, weakened from 2 out, last of 5, dist behind Nendrum (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Mighty Thunder 7-2jfav (11-0) Chased winner until after 1st, chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced in rear after 7th, rallied after 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 13 1/2l behind Lord Napier (11-13) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
No Boundaries (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) In rear, hit 3rd, fell 5th, at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Mill Forge 11-2 (10-8) Prominent in chasing group until lost place before 5th, awkward next, never on terms after, 6th of 7, 19l behind Good Tradition (11-10) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Dodgybingo (IRE) 13-2 (10-1) Mid-division, headway 3 out to chase leaders, effort next, one pace when mistake last, 4th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Wells De Lune (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Shanaway (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Led until before 2nd, prominent, beaten after 2 out, left 3rd when hampered last, lost 3rd and stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Maureen's Star (11-0) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Green Zone (IRE) 10-3fav (11-1) In touch, driven to chase leaders after last (usual 3 out), switched outside on long run from last, soon ridden, went 2nd and kept on inside final furlong, no impression with winner, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Slaney Craiglegacy (10-4) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Equus Pandora (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division, mistake 3 out, headway next, in touch on outer when hampered on long run between last 2, soon outpaced, no impression before last, 5th of 13, 22 1/2l behind Justatenner (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Cruachan (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division, weakened after 3 out, 12th of 15, 26 3/4l behind Celtic Flames (11-13) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Urban Kode (IRE) 28-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 15, 7 3/4l behind Celtic Flames (11-13) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
