mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, weakening when blundered last
held up, mistake 9th, weakened from 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led to 5th, pushed along approaching 12th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, stayed on from last
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on well run-in
with leader, led 5th, reminders 6th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up behind, pushed along approaching 10th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, kept on
held up in rear, stumbled and fell after 1st
behind, weakened from 4 out
held up mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, mistake when weakening 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 8th, led approaching 2 out, kept on well
chased leaders, weakened approaching 10th
held up in touch, unseated rider 4th
SHULMIN's recent win and course form gives him the edge here with Major Catch and Whatcanyasay representing the main threats. The selection regained his confidence last time with a win over a much longer trip here. That confidence had been shot with a fall at Carlisle in October but that win capped a progression back to form. She is four wins from 11 starts at this track, with a further two placings, and those victories include one over this trip and the rise in weights shouldn't prove too much of a burden. Major Catch, like the selection, was a winner last time out, which came in a moderate contest at Uttoexter. He's raised six pounds for that effort but is still rated 14lbs lower than his hurdles mark so on that there should be more to come. Whatcanyasay was a course and distance winner in March but since has failed to get his head in front. He may have found his weight rise from that a little hard to bare and returned to this his favourite course to run into second place last time off a much more competitive mark. Raised for that performance though he may find life tougher again. Justwhateverulike has a chance on his early season form but is still well above his last winning rating and the vote goes to Shulmin.
Watch My Back 28-1 (10-10) In rear, headway approaching 3 out, no extra from last, 5th of 10, 10l behind Doc Row (10-5) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Skipping Chapel 7-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 4th of 14, 25l behind Classic Moon (11-0) at Perth 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Flaming Heck 12-1 (11-9) Behind, mistake 3rd, struggling 7th, never dangerous, last of 9, well behind Stormy Beech (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Justwhateverulike (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) In touch, blundered 5 out, lost placed next, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 36l behind Wot Way Chief (11-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Easby Mandarin 66-1 (11-2) Mid-division, hampered 11th, soon outpaced, never on terms, 4th of 12, 20l behind Banoge (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gs in Nov.
Roobihoo (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) In touch, weakened 12th, hampered 14th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Doc Row (10-5) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Dawn Ride (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Always behind, blundered badly 10th, behind when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Hello Bud (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Panama At Once 22-1 (11-12) Led 1st, headed 13th, soon outpaced, weakened from 4 out, 5th of 10, 17l behind Low Reactor (10-9) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec '07.
Shulmin 5-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 12th, headway on outside 3 out, led between last 2, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Nov beating Nelliedonethat (10-9) by 3l, 11 ran.
Sycho Fred (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) In rear, hit 5th, reminders approaching 11th, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 42l behind Chigorin (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Whatcanyasay 16-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway under pressure 4 out, ridden next, chased winner between last 2, hit last, kept on flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Stormy Beech (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Ring Of Beara (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Led, headed 4th, remained prominent until weakened after 4 out, 5th of 7, well behind Sunny Brook (10-13) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Herbie (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Blundered and unseated rider in race won by Sunny Brook (10-13) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
Major Catch (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Always prominent, chased leader approaching 5th, hit 8th, led 2 out, ridden clear flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov beating Smart Thinker (10-0) by 5l, 9 ran.
