mid-division, outpaced 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind
mid-division, headway, in touch 5th, challenged 2 out, kept on and every chance, ridden, held flat
tracked leaders, led after 5th, headed 3 out, ridden, one pace from next
behind, struggling 3rd, never near leaders
in touch, mistake 3rd, lost place 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, went prominent 3rd, headway to lead 3 out, hard pressed next, soon ridden, held on under pressure flat
in touch, tracked leader when hit 3rd, lost place approaching 3 out, weakened, pulled up before next
led until after 5th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, short lived effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
A competitive enough opener with GAVROCHE GAUGAIN our tentative selection ahead of Caheerloch and Samizdat. Ferdy Murphy's charge ran well for a long way at Doncaster before weakening out of matters as things began in earnest. It could be worth chancing that the good-to-soft going on that day was against him and with heavy obtaining today, he may be better placed than most to cope. Nigel Twiston-Davies had a good weekend so watch out for Caheerloch. Proven on soft going, it is a long old way to come for just the Durham air. Samizdat hasn't appeared to get home over 2m4f; the money last time out suggests that he was fancied to do much better. Solway Ally races prominently so the drop in trip should not be a major concern. Perez was quirky on the flat though may improve for the switch to the winter game. Naval Attache knows how to win around this circuit though may be better with less cut in the ground. Devil's Delight is a long standing maiden and while that run has been particularly long, this race is so inherently modest that she cannot be totally dismissed. Gavroche Gaugain is the tentative call in a race that won't be making too many headlines come Wednesday morning.
Caheerloch (IRE) 4-1fav (10-3) Tracked leaders, one pace 3 out, 4th of 8, 16l behind Dontpaytheferryman (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Solway Ally 11-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 4th of 14, 24l behind Berwick Law (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Samizdat (FR) 7-2fav (11-9) In touch, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, one pace between last 2, 6th of 12, 12l behind I'm Your Man (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Toby Mac 33-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden to chase winner after 3 out to next, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 44l behind Shadrack (10-12) at Catterick 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Gavroche Gaugain (FR) 14-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, weakened from 3 out, 11th of 20, 49l behind Shadrack (10-6) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Naval Attache 25-1 (10-2) Held up, went promient 4th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, 6th and beaten when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Toulouse Express (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Natural Rhythm (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, ridden and weakened 4th, 5th of 6, 49l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-10) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Devils Delight (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Tracked leader, led 2nd, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 10, 23l behind Romney Marsh (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Perez (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Planetarium (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
Naughty Diesel 8-1 (9-13) In touch, joined winner after 3rd, lost place after 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 13, 35l behind Shadrack (10-12) at Catterick 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Mistral De La Cour (FR) 100-1 (11-2) Close up, lost place 4 out, tailed off when pulled up next, in a race won by Laborec (10-4) at Wetherby 2m 6f cond clm hdl (4yo+) (5) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Pendragon (USA) 80-1 (11-1) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Osolomio (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Mar '08.
