led until approaching 3rd, lost place next, rallied under pressure 4 out, never on terms
chased leaders, led approaching 7th, headed 14th, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up after 4 out
held up in rear, weakened 5 out, tailed off
mid-division, lost place 6th, rallying when mistake 14th, never on terms
tracked leader, mistake 14th, soon weakened, pulled up 4 out
held up in touch, slow 4th, soon lost place, behind approaching 12th, pulled up 5 out
chased leaders, mistake 12th, effort after 4 out, every chance next, kept on well under pressure
prominent, led approaching 3rd, headed before 7th, led again 14th, headed 3 out, no extra after next
mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 5th, weakened 13th, behind when pulled up 5 out
behind, headway into mid-division, after 5th, chased leaders 12th, led 3 out, soon challenged, stayed on well
towards rear, pushed along 5th, headway 15th, chased leaders 3 out, never a threat
always behind, under pressure halfway, pulled up 13th
Having won on two of his three previous visits to the track, Ultimatum Du Roy must go on the short-list given he's only found one too good in both starts this campaign. Not A Bother Boy couldn't be in better form and bids for a four-timer with Trevor Ryan, on board for recent victories at Sedgefield, again taking off 7lb. Soudain is a thorough stayer and won this in 2012 when trained by Steve Gollings, though is still 12lb higher. EXPRESS DU BERLAIS was fourth in the Southern National at Fontwell last month and didn't handle heavy going at Bangor subsequently. He's worth another try over a longer trip as his yard knows what it takes to win these staying chases. Mondo Cane could run into a place for local trainer Charlie Pogson.
Settledoutofcourt (IRE) 15-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistake and weakened from 6 out, 7th of 10, 28 1/4l behind Vintage Star (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Soudain (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway before 6 out, pushed along before 4 out, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 7, dist behind King Of The Wolds (11-12) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Ultimatum Du Roy (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Held up on outside, not much room 1st, went 2nd after 3 out, no impression on winner, mistake last, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Friendly Royal (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Themanfrom Minella (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, jumped slowly 1st, ridden after 9th, went 4th from 14th, one pace 3 out, well held before next, 4th of 12, 24l behind Cyclop (10-13) at Warwick 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Express Du Berlais (FR) 9-4fav (11-9) Held up in touch, effort 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 8, dist behind Union Jack D'ycy (11-7) at Bangor 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Up For An Oscar (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, lost place before 2nd, well behind 12th, tailed off 14th, pulled up after, at Warwick 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Not A Bother Boy (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Chased leader, mistake 6th, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well run-in, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Over My Head (10-6) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
Barton Gift 9-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened before 14th, behind next, tailed off and pulled up after 17th, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Mondo Cane (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 5th, mistake 11th, hit 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Kilronan High (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
West Of The Edge (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, dropped to rear 10th, headway approaching 3 out, went modest 3rd approaching next, 3rd of 9, 7 1/4l behind Maccabees (10-0) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Cheat The Cheater (IRE) 9-2cfav (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, pushed along approaching 4 out, ridden after 4 out, lost 2nd 2 out, rallied into 2nd again last, hung left in behind winner run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Kilcascan (11-4) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
The Society Man (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden and lost place over 7f out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Busy Street (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
