mid-division, reminders 10th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up before 12th
chased leaders, hampered 6th, reminders 11th, outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching last, ridden to lead final 100 yards, kept on
led to 3rd, remained in touch, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before next
with leader, led 3rd, headed next, left in lead again 6th, soon clear, ridden approaching last, rider dropped whip and headed final 100 yards, no extra
in touch, lost place 13th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
held up when hampered badly, unseated rider 6th
chased leaders to halfway, soon ridden, tailed off 4 out
behind, hampered 6th, headway 12th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch, led 4th until fell 6th
in touch, chased leader 12th, hit 4 out, ridden and kept on approaching last, one pace flat
behind, hampered 6th, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
An interesting contest where GLENARY is given a speculative nomination to win on his chasing debut, while Kate's Gift, Carry Duff and Top Cloud can show up well. Backing a horse to win a handicap on his first run over fences might be seen by many as the quickest way to the poor house, and they may be proved correct here. However there are reasons to be with Sue Smith's charge. For starters, her runners here should always be taken seriously as she does well at the track. In addition to that, Glenary still has youth on his side and is open to improvement, especially now stepped up in trip. Furthermore, the extra half mile should also give him plenty of time to get the hang of jumping in public, and as one who likes the ground we will chance him. Kate's Gift is proven over fences, having won last time at Leicester. He remains on the same mark today and with Paul Webber's latest runner having gone well the portents are good for this eight-year-old. Carry Duff pops up occasionally, stays well and goes on any ground, but he is fully exposed, while Top Cloud stays well in the mud and is back below his latest winning mark, so could well be a threat. Coldwells beat Stoneriggs Merc just half a length over course and distance last time at level weights and is now 1lb better off, so can confirm those placings, but we will side with Glenary today.
Ambrosinni 7-2 (11-5) In touch, ridden 11th, lost place next, weakened 4 out, jumped left last, 4th of 7, 16l behind Opera de Coeur (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Montevideo 40-1 (10-11) Behind, reminders 6th, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 23l behind Akilak (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
Kate's Gift 12-1 (11-2) Made most, ridden approaching 3 out, hard ridden approaching next, kept on well after last, won at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) sft in Dec beating Minella Four Star (11-2) by 2l, 9 ran.
Rare Society (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) In touch, blundered 10th and 15th, soon lost place, no danger after, 7th of 13, 45l behind Bellaney Jewel (10-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Glenary (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-9) With leader, led 3 out, driven and headed run-in, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Admiral Savannah (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Carryduff 12-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 12, 8l behind Coldwells (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Top Cloud (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Prominent, went 2nd approaching 9th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Gidam Gidam (11-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Stoneriggs Merc (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up, went second at 14th, every chance 3 out until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Coldwells (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Coldwells (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-12) Made all, ridden when challenged 3 out, held on towards finish, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec beating Stoneriggs Merc (10-12) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Orang Outan (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from last, 4th of 12, 7l behind Coldwells (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Has Scored (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened from 14th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Smart Thinker (9-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
