tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led approaching 3 out, edged left after next, headed last, led again flat, all out
pressed leader until not fluent 3rd, jumped left and badly hampered 4th, soon in rear, weakened 3 out
took keen hold, led, not fluent 4th, clear when not fluent next, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, slightly hampered 4th, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, led when mistake last, headed flat, stayed on
led into start, tracked leaders, hampered 4th, every chance 2 out, weakened last
held up, mistake 4th, headway 6th, not fluent 3 out, soon beaten, no impression when mistake next
held up, headway 4th, pecked next, challenged 3 out, ridden before next, stayed on same pace last
Only Hope is often thereabouts but hasn't raced since June and is still a maiden over jumps and on the Flat after 43 starts. She has to be worth taking on again with ENDEAVOR the most likely winner. Dianne Sayer's six-year-old isn't very reliable but knows how to get his head in front and a repeat of his best form would suffice here. Stablemate Pagan Lightning could figure if a run at Carlisle has blown away a few cobwebs but Echo Dancer and Stanley Bridge usually find at least one too good.
Rigid 12-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, pulled hard, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, last of 7, 23l behind Amuse Me (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs.
Pagan Lightning (USA) 28-1 (10-9) Raced wide, towards rear, plugged on from 3 out, never in contention, 6th of 16, 21l behind Crackerjac Boy (9-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
Lord Wheathill 100-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 9th of 14, 32l behind Aegean Destiny (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Only Hope 5-2fav (11-0) Chased leaders, challenged last, soon led, headed post, 2nd of 16, shd behind Hollies Favourite (11-3) at Worcester 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jun.
Endeavor 9-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, 9th of 14, 39l behind Funky Munky (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Echo Dancer 12-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, led before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Amazing Star (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
Stanley Bridge 13-2 (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden before last, kept on, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Claude Carter (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Tuskar (USA) 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 38l behind Kickahead (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd in Nov.
