tracked leader, led 4 out, drew clear from 2 out, ridden out, comfortably
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from next, no chance with winner
led to 4 out, ridden and outpaced next, weakened 2 out
held up behind, headway under pressure 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
held up, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next
in touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, weakening when hit next
mid-division, lost place 6th, behind from next
in touch, jumped right 6th, soon ridden and behind
raced wide in mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd at last, never near leaders
Arctic Echo won well last time but may struggle to follow up under a penalty and so we will take a chance with Nae Bother at All, Johnny Roche may do best of the others. The Nicky Richards trained five-year-old has only raced twice, showing plenty of promise on his debut last December and looking in need of the run when returning to the track recently. He is open to any amount of improvement and should make the most of the weight he recieves from Arctic Echo. The last named hasn't been seen since beating Lodgician at Hexham in May, but is from a yard that can get one ready after a break and he should again be involved in the finish. Johnny Roche has shown a little promise in two runs to date and hails from a powerful yard so should be watched closely in the betting. The rest make little appeal and so we return to Nae Bother At All as the confident choice.
Arctic Echo 4-6fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, driven approaching 2 out, rallied to lead after last, ridden and kept on flat, won at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in May beating Lodgician (10-11) by 2l, 12 ran.
Bouncing King 14-1 (10-11) Behind, headway over 5f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Johnny Bissett (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Buck Compton (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Reel Charmer (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Johnny Roche (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Towards rear, headway halfway, effort 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 13, 24l behind Top Cloud (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f cnd nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Legal Joy 33-1 (10-13) Led for 3f, kept on final 2f, took 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 12l behind Indian Storm (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Medianoche (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Led, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Reel Charmer (10-2) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Nae Bother At All (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Held up, mid-division, outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching 2 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 15, 16l behind Smart Street (10-7) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Seaplace (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Held up, pushed along and badly outpaced before halfway, kept on final 3f, never troubled leaders, 5th of 11, 21l behind Indian Storm (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Ansa The Question 200-1 (9-12) Mid-division, effort and under pressure from 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 17, 29l behind Tidal Bay (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Fizanni (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent early, 8th halfway, no extra from before 4 out, 12th of 24, well behind Major Stampi (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f mdn hdl gs in Nov.
Shanapova (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, pushed along over 6f out, soon outpaced, 5th of 7, well behind Tot O'Whiskey (10-13) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
