chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 6th, chased winner from 3 out, not fluent next, kept on, no impression
chased leaders, reminders and quickly lost place approaching 6th, pulled up
led until ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 5th, one pace from 2 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 7th
held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 6th, led approaching 3 out, clear from next, eased towards finish
held up behind, pushed along, struggling from halfway
chased leader, weakened and pulled up before 7th
always behind, weakened 7th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd at 5th, ridden 3 out, stayed on from next
Nonrunner
Skippers Brig is taken to make up for a recent blunder and this one can get the better of Rothbury and All For Luck. This impressive Carlisle bumper winner was supported on his hurdles debut but overjumped at the second and sent the jockey tumbling. No doubt Len has given him a fair bit of schooling and if he gets his jumping together he could prove hard to beat. Rothbury comes here in great heart after comfortably landing an Aintree handicap last time out., another big run is expected. Nicky Richards always has to respected at this track and so All For Luck should be watched closely in the market. The best of the rest could be Hush Tiger, but we will give Skippers Brig another chance to show what he is made of.
Hush Tiger 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, no impression, 4th of 13, 12l behind The Last Viking (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
All For Luck (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 5th, blundered 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 15, 33l behind Nevertika (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Kaky (FR) 17-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Wrenlane (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Aug, 11 ran.
Lockstockandbarrel (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-11) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Winter Star (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (H) gf.
Mr Preacher Man 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 10l behind Gunner Jack (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Oct.
Skippers Brig (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, stumbled and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Reel Charmer (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Rothbury 20-1 (11-8) Always prominent, tracked leader after 6th, hit 8th, led before 3 out, ridden and edged left flat, kept on, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gd in Nov beating The Last Viking (10-11) by 4l, 20 ran.
To Tiger (GER) 2-1fav (10-7) In touch, outpaced 5 out, soon behind, 10th of 16, well behind Bywell Beau (10-11) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.