led, not fluent 3rd or 4th, headed after 3 out, led again before 2 out, soon headed, hit last, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on winner
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace last
bumped just before 1st, soon mid-division, not fluent 2nd, weakened 3 out, tailed off
prominent, wandered approaching 1st, bumped at hurdle, soon went wrong and pulled up
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, lost place approaching 4th, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace last
towards rear, jumped slowly when last 4th, behind next, soon pulled up
jumped slowly 5th, mainly always towards rear, behind after 3 out, pulled up flat
tracked leaders, led 2 out, pushed clear from last, comfortably
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd or 3 out, went 6th before 2 out, never on terms
mid-division, wandered 1st, headway approaching 4th, close up after 3 out, no extra last
not fluent 1st, soon tracking leader, jumped left 2nd, lost 2nd 5th, not fluent and weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up, well beaten after 3 out, tailed off
THE WEATHERMAN would probably have finished second to the smart Peckhamecho at Bangor last month had he not fallen three out. There doesn't look to be anything of the latter's calibre in this and Donald McCain's bumper winner can open his account over hurdles today. Kealigolane and Vintage Star both carry penalties but can't be ignored while Dome Run and Franks A Million have ability but may need more time. Venitzia should improve for his Haydock run and looks the pick of the remainder.
Kealigolane (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Made all, clear from before 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd beating Demolition (11-0) by 15l, 11 ran.
Vintage Star (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 6th and next, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 12, 17l behind See What Happens (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov.
Alba King (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 4th, soon weakened, last of 12, well behind Malt Master (11-0) at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) gs in Nov.
Dome Run 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, tailed off, 10th of 17, well behind Sir Johnson (12-0) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Franks A Million (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders before 3f out, one pace final 2 furlongs, 5th of 12, 9l behind The Wayward Lord (10-13) at Catterick 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Mootabar (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 4f out, ridden before 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Ifandbutwhynot (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Sleeping Policeman (FR) 200-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 12th of 15, well behind Hazy Tom (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
The Weatherman (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 5th, chased leader next, fell 3 out, in a race won by Peckhamecho (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Tutchec (FR) 28-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, weakened before 4 out, 9th of 14, 33l behind Boruler (10-11) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Venitzia (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 7th, soon struggling, 5th of 7, 28l behind Super Duty (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Viscount Victor (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced on long run between last 2, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Bury Parade (11-2) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Skenakilla Cross (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Always behind, 8th of 12, well behind Bonnie Baloo (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
