prominent, mistakes 9th and 10th, soon lost place, left in modest 4th 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened 6th, beaten 5 out, soon tailed off
tracked leaders, effort 4 out, held when hampered next, soon weakened
in touch, smooth headway to chase leaders 5 out, every chance when left in lead 3 out, clear next, easily
held up, weakened 6 out, behind when pulled up 4 out
soon led, headed 6th, led again before next, headed after 5 out, soon under pressure, left in modest 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner
held up in rear, headway 6 out, chased leaders after next, never on terms
pushed along in rear, tailed off 7th, pulled up before next
chased leaders, led 6th, headed before next, led again after 5 out, strongly challenged when fell 3 out
NonRunner
Beau Bay has a perfect record over these obstacles and was enterprisingly ridden to score over the trip last time. But Hollywoodien was travelling well in that race when unseating his rider and Richard Newland’s charge is 3lb higher - this also looks a shade more competitive. However, he should get a tow into the race from Doncaster scorer Storm Control. Charmant is starting to slip down the weights and is worth another try over this longer trip but we’ll give another chance to the well-treated BERNARDELLI as he had excuses last time at Kelso. He’s normally consistent in this grade and the likely strong pace might play to his strengths. Kilfilum Cross also stays further and The Paddy Pie is another starting to look well handicapped.
Kilfilum Cross (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden before 4 out, no impression next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Tree Of Liberty (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake and weakened 4 out, 10th of 14, 32 3/4l behind Magic Saint (11-9) at Newbury 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Storm Control (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Made all, hit went clear before 5 out, reduced lead 3 out, almost joined last, went clear run-in, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Sky Pirate (11-5) by 5l, 6 ran.
Charmant (FR) 8-1 (11-5) In touch, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, mistake 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 7, 26l behind Marracudja (11-1) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Hollywoodien (FR) 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 5th, closed 12th, led off last bend, narrow lead when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Beau Bay (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Led until 2nd, led 5th, jumped left and not fluent next, headed 7th, led 8th, headed off last bend, left in lead 4 out, clear 2 out, clambered over last, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Niven (10-13) by 3l, 6 ran.
Protek Des Flos (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, effort 2 out, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Dali Mail (10-13) at Newcastle 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Bernardelli (IRE) 3-1fav (10-11) Led, headed after last, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Claud And Goldie (11-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
The Paddy Pie (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up, headway chasing leading pair 5th, pushed along before 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Instant Replay (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Monsieur Co (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, hit 4th, effort 9th, hit 12th, mistake when struggling 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 2 out, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
