tracked leaders on outside, hit 4th, driven after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, slight peck 3rd, brought down 5th
tracked leaders on inside, left 2nd at 5th, pushed along to challenge 2 out, led last, driven clear flat
tracked leader, led after 2nd, pushed along before 3 out, joined 2 out, mistake and headed last, kept on same pace flat
held up, left 4th and badly hampered 5th, clear 3rd after 7th, switched right between last two, no impression
led until after 2nd, pressed leader, fell 5th
Nonrunner
Proud Times has been a fine servant to Ali Stronge but might just need this first run for nearly 230 days, allied to having to concede weight all round. Last Shadow represents the O'Neill team and needs to be monitored in the market after a major break as stable inmates have the knack of impressing after a lengthy break, whilst Clara Peggotty definitely has a chance at her best but is also infuriatingly inconsistent and it's hard to be confident about her from race to race. NAFAATH (NAP) produced a consistent string of efforts on the level during the summer and autumn and his second at Carlisle back over timber last time reads well in the context of this race. His chance is strengthened by the 7lb claim of the useful Nick Slatter.
Proud Times (USA) 11-2 (11-9) Led, ridden and headed 5th, chased leader until reminders after 9th, soon lost place, tailing off when pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Special Account (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Apr, 7 ran.
Nafaath (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Acordingtoscript (10-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Oct.
Last Shadow 5-2fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway when not fluent and lost place 4th, not clear run after next, headway when jumped left 3 out, no impression next, 6th of 11, 12l behind My Lord (11-5) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sep '13.
Mubrook (USA) 7-4fav (10-2) Prominent, led 6th, headed 4 out, tracked leaders, ridden when hit 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 22l behind Cultram Abbey (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Oct.
Avel Vor (IRE) 18-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 12, 6l behind Thundering Home (10-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Clara Peggotty 20-1 (9-13) Led and raced keenly, headed bypassing 2 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 15l behind Vinnie My Boy (11-9) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in May.
Tennessee Bird 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, blundered 2nd, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 14, 24l behind Operateur (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Sep.
