in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, headway to chase winner approaching 2 out until approaching last, soon no extra
towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
prominent, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway and in touch 3 out, fell next
close up, led approaching 3rd, made rest, easily
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, pushed along approaching 2 out, no impression
mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out
towards rear, never dangerous
led, headed approaching 3rd, remained prominent until weakened approaching 2 out
The unexposed NUMERO DUE gets the vote in this race but only just ahead of Diamond Frontier and Black Mogul. In a contest that includes a number of runners with winning form Gary Moores' gelding has taken to jumping life well after scoring on his debut over obstacles at Sedgefield in September. That form was stood up when the third went off to win but the six-year-old could only land fourth of 16 last time under a penalty. Some of the rating still point to that being an improved performance and the extra few furlongs will also help his cause. Diamond Frontier picked up smartly from where he left off last term with a smart performance to land second place in a similar contest on his last run. The heavy ground won't be of too much concern after this Wylie owned five-year-old scored in testing conditions at Tramore last season. An accurate jumper and on the improve he is definitely in with chances. Black Mogul is another one who seems to be getting better with every run. An impressive sequence of places culminated in a victory last time out over course and distance in similar company. Either second on third in the four runs prior to that it seems he's finally found his distance and will be looking to build on that here. Inner Voice gives a lot of weight to his rivals but has to be watched as he comes here on a hurdles three timer. Both previous victories have come in similar company but he may just find the ground too testing on this occasion. Nicky Richard's Ballybanks also has a claim on point-to-point form but it's Numero Due for us.
Inner Voice (USA) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden before 2 out where stayed on to challenge, led before straight, kept on well from last, won at Sligo 2m 4f mdn hdl gs in Aug beating Covie Lad (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Black Mogul 4-1 (10-7) Prominent, headway 2 out, led flat, kept on, won at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct beating Any Currency (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Numero Due 5-2 (11-5) In touch, chased leaders 4th, led after 4 out, outpaced and headed next, kept on to take 4th towards finish, 4th of 16, 9l behind Waterloo Road (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Ballybanks (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Won at Maralin 3m Ir pt-to-pt gd in Apr beating Barrow Way (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Barrow Way (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) 2nd of 9 btn 1 1/2l by Ballybanks (11-7) at Maralin 3m Ir pt-t-pt gd in April.
Bayfirth (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Always behind, 5th of 7, well behind Humourous (10-12) at Perth 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Catch Bob (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, saddle slipped and pulled up in race won by Our Bomber Harris (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Oct, 15 ran.
Diamond Frontier (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Its Tough (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Sept.
Firestorm (IRE) 300-1 (10-12) In rear, never dangerous, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Drever Route (10-12) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Gin Mill (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 4th, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Drever Route (10-12) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Isla Pearl Fisher 14-1 (10-11) Held up, weakened 3f out, 6th of 15, 18l behind Little Josh (11-6) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gs in Oct.
Legal Joy 100-1 (10-9) Held up, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 10th of 11, well behind Arctic Echo (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec '06.
Mask Of Darkness (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, no impression from 4 out, 13th of 25, well behind Oscar Dan Dan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl gs in Oct.
Minster Lake 200-1 (10-6) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off from next, 5th of 14, well behind Mirage Dore (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Palm Reader (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, headway on inside over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 15, 22l behind Shalone (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in May.
Silver Breese 28-1 (10-13) Close up, ridden 3 out, weakened between last two, 3rd of 6, well behind Mr Barnacle (10-13) at Hexham 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in May.
