prominent, awkward 1st, pulled into lead after 2nd, headed narrowly 11th, led again 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed before 2 out, faded before last
tracked leader, close up 10th, led narrowly 11th, headed 13th, ridden before 4 out, well adrift 2 out, one pace
restrained in rear, ridden after 4 out, well adrift 2 out, no extra
held up, jumped left 1st, not fluent 9th, reminder 10th, ridden and lost touch 14th, pulled up before 4 out
led, headed after 2nd, not fluent 8th and 13th, ridden before 4 out, quickly lost ground when pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, close up under pressure after 4 out, led approaching 2 out, drew clear last, stayed on strongly
Nobel Leader is the only course winner in the line-up and could be interesting after a pipe-opener in a higher grade at Wetherby but it’s difficult to get away from the in-form DUBAI OUTLAW. The latter made a smooth transition to chasing at Stratford having won earlier over hurdles at Fontwell and Kelso with soft going a legitimate excuse at Hexham in between. Summit Like Herbie is guaranteed to see out this trip so will probably try and force the pace but he has to concede 14lb to the selection and Ecossais is proving expensive to follow.
Summit Like Herbie 2-1 (12-0) Led until 1st, led 6th, jumped left and headed 9th, led again 2 out, headed after last, no extra after final bend, 4th of 7, 19l behind Cuban Pete (11-12) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Path To Freedom (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) (tt) prom; led 12-14 & 15 til hdd nxt; wknd qckly aft 2 out, 5th of 8, 30 1/4l behind Duhallow Tornado (11-7) at Brocklesby Park 3m gs in Feb.
Nobel Leader (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) In rear, modest headway before 5 out, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Minella For Me (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Lough Salt (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Prominent, relegated to midfield 6th, towards rear when hit 15th, mistake 4 out and detached, ridden and tailed off 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Dubai Outlaw (IRE) 11-4jfav (10-10) Prominent, mistake at 1st, headway to press leader 3 out, led before 2 out, two lengths clear at last, drew clear on home turn, ridden on run-in, eased down close home, easily, won at Stratford 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Nov beating Miss Gemstone (11-12) by 7l, 9 ran.
Ecossais (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Led, hit 4th, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened after next, mistake 2 out, 6th of 11, 37 1/2l behind For Jim (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
