chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up, jumped slowly 4th, headway on outside chasing leaders before 3 out, ridden and weakened between last 2
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders after 4 out, upsides last, led run-in, driven out
led until before 4th, pressed leader, in front again next, urged along before 3 out, joined last, headed and no extra run-in
held up in last pair, smooth headway on outside before 2 out, ridden and weakened run-in
raced keenly tracking leader, led approaching 4th, blundered badly headed next and dropped to 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, challenged 2 out, ridden chasing winner and every chance early run-in, no extra final 150 yards
This carries Listed status and all barring the once-raced Uncle Norman have already won over timber. A winner at Cartmel in August, Lady Shanawell lost her tack at Hexham subsequently but won here 16 days ago, though Zeb Spirit appeared to have her measure when coming to grief. The latter was only beaten a length by Half Bolly earlier at Market Rasen and is now 8lb better off. French import Crealion is interesting having a first run for Tom George while Langer Dan overcame inexperience to make a winning start at Ludlow but NORDANO is 2-2 over hurdles and can complete the hat-trick. He beat Maria Magdalena on debut at Huntingdon and then won readily on rain-softened ground at Chepstow.
Crealion (FR) (10-5) won at Clairefontaine 2m 1f gd in Jun beating Dream Wish (10-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Half Bolly 14-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, outpaced before 2 out, mistake last, rallied flat, led close home, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (2) gd in Sep beating Zeb Spirit (11-3) by 1l, 8 ran.
Langer Dan (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, bumped 1st, left closer 4th, challenged from 3 out, led just after last, stayed on well, edged left, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Brambledown (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Nordano (GER) 5-2 (11-4) Jumped well, made all, 1 length ahead and good jump last, came readily clear, unchallenged, won at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Oct beating Catch The Cuban (10-12) by 3l, 7 ran.
Uncle Norman (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 2dn, effort 3 out, 3rd when jumped left and mistake last, no impression, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Maria Magdalena (11-3) at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Oct.
What Will Be (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Held up, pushed along and headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Forbidden Dance (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Zeb Spirit (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) Led, about 2 lengths ahead when fell 3 out, at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Lady Shanawell (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Chased leader, about 2 lengths down when left in lead 3 out, not fluent 2 out or last, stayed on, won at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Oct beating Paricolor (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Maria Magdalena (IRE) 8-15fav (11-3) Made all, clear from last, easily, won at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Oct beating Burnage Boy (10-12) by 7l, 8 ran.
