in touch, led after 4 out, clear after 2 out, kept on well
tracked leaders and keen, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, effort 4 out, weakened next
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, chased winner approaching next, one pace, no impression
held up, hit 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led, blundered and headed 12th, weakened after 4 out
held up, ridden 4 out, good headway on outer approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 10th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, beaten when badly hampered last
close up, led 12th, headed after 4 out, soon ridden, outpaced 2 out, rallied to take 3rd flat
Now Then Sid is a tentative choice, with Artane Boys and Borehill Joker very much respected with their claims, while Scotch Corner is also worth noting in the betting as his ability is in there somewhere and he may have been revitalised by his recent switch in routine. Scotch Corner looked a useful prospect for Nigel Twiston-Davies before he lost his way last season. Having won off 95, his current rating of just 81 leaves him with a sound chance at the weight and the mount of Tom Messenger is very much one to note in the betting market. Borehill Joker has bounced back to form with a vengeance this term and rolled back the clock with a couple of wins at Towcester. He seems impervious to the ground and can make another bold bid for a place. Artane Boys is no star at Jonjo O'Neill's yard and needs at least this sort of trip. He will benefit from the Tony McCoy factor this evening, though, and it will not be surprising to see his spark rekindled by the return to chasing. However, even with the champion jockey in the plate, he is not one to rely upon too heavily in a finish and a degree of caution is advised where he is concerned. Therefore, we switch allegiances to Now Ten Sid, who is set to encounter his ideal conditions. The selection is on a winning mark and, having winning form on firm ground, he is fancied to give his North Yorkshire-based trainer a profitable visit to Southwell this evening.
Borehill Joker 6-5fav (10-3) Held up, headway 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Neltina (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Artane Boys 8-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden and kept on one pace from 3 out, 6th of 14, 10l behind Irish Wolf (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
Dalriath 16-1 (10-13) Held up, blundered 3 out, 15 lengths down in 4th when unseated rider 2 out in race won by Briscoe Place (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Jun, 9 ran.
Now Then Sid 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, rallied next, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Wee William (11-9) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
Lawaaheb (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up, left 3rd last, never dangerous, 3rd of 9, 27l behind Yes Sir (11-12) at Stratford 2m 4f nov chs (3) gf in Jun.
Sharaab (USA) 9-1 (10-8) Held up and mistakes, headway 8th, ridden after 4 out, blundered 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind Schinken Otto (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Scotch Corner (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Jumped right 3rd, prominent to 8th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Blazing Batman (9-9) at Chepstow 3m sll hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Per Amore (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along 5th, headway 8th to track leaders, outpaced after 3 out, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Upswing (11-1) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May.
