with leader, led after 2nd, reminders before 4 out, ridden and headed before last, weakened and lost 3rd run-in
led, headed after 2nd, tracked leader, led before last, headed last, kept on and held run-in
in rear and in touch, ridden after last, kept on to take 3rd run-in, no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, led last, ridden and stayed on strongly run-in
Nonrunner
Brave Spartacus was a short-priced favourite for a similar contest at Catterick yesterday and may not take his chance here unless plans went awry. In his possible absence, we'll take a chance on the fitness of MISTER WALL STREET. Ferdy Murphy's eight-year-old didn't manage to get to the racecourse last year but looked a decent prospect when last seen and still has the potential to be a bit better than this grade. Diamond Frontier is a risky proposition nowadays and Simonside was tailed off when left in second at Wetherby last time and needs to brush up his jumping. Schinken Otto is a standing dish around here but usually plies his trade at a lower level.
Diamond Frontier (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, under pressure 7th, weakened 5 out, in rear when fell 3 out, in a race won by Desert Cry (11-6) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Simonside 10-1 (10-13) Pressed leader, lost place and dropped to rear after 8th, 4th and beaten when left sole rival and hampered 2 out, stayed on flat, never reached winner, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind United Park (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec.
Mister Wall Street (FR) 11-4 (11-8) With leader, ridden before 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 7, 36l behind Kings Grey (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Nov '11.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, hampered 1st, headway approaching 8th, lost place when not fluent next, last when mistake 10th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Strobe (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) Evensfav (10-13) Made all, mistakes, unextended, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy beating Classical Mist (10-12) by 21l, 6 ran.
