made all, clear from halfway, easily
chased leaders until weakened halfway, soon beaten
tracked leaders until weakened from halfway
chased leaders, ridden approaching 6 out, soon weakened
tracked winner, ridden approaching 5 out, soon outpaced
always towards rear
towards rear, some headway from 6 out, one pace, no impression from 4 out
tracked leaders, headway to chase winner approaching 6 out, ridden, effort 3 out, 10 lengths down when blundered last
always behind
held up, headway from 6 out, ridden approaching 4 out, hit next, stayed on one pace from 3 out, nearest finish
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Top weight Bohemian Spirit is entitled to come on for his return at Sedgefield last month and is fancied to defy the burden of 11st 12lb with the main dangers looking to come from Swallow Magic and Terramarique. The last mentioned is less exposed than most of these and has, like the selection, only had the one start so far this term so has to be respected with him likely to improve for it. Pristeen Spy looks to be going the right way and has a nice racing weight, while Red Flyer has yet to prove that he as good over fences as he was over hurdles. Mr Laggan should come on for his reappearance and is another to consider along with recent Leicester winner Swallow Magic. Bohemian Spirit has an obvious chance though and he gets the vote.
Bohemian Spirit (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, led, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Villago (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gs in Nov.
Helvetius 20-1 (11-9) Always behind, 9th of 14, well behind Almire Du Lia (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in Nov.
Red Flyer (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Towards rear, pushed along and headway approaching 3 out, effort next, kept on one pace flat, 4th of 10, 3l behind Snowy (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gf in Oct.
Jallastep (FR) 18-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders early, soon behind, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 37l behind Oso Magic (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
Swallow Magic (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Made virtually all, driven out, won at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (F) gf in Nov beating Walcot Lad (10-11) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Closed Orders (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Led, headed after 4th, weakened 7th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Bergerac (11-7) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Mr Laggan 12-1 (9-7) With leader, mistake 5th, left in lead 7th, headed 10th, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Alfy Rich (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Oct.
Balakar (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Always behind, never a danger, 13th of 17, well behind Fortmassini (11-3) at Down Royal 2m 4f NH flat hvy in Nov.
Pornic (FR) 66-1 (10-9) In touch, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Compo (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hdl 0-90 (F) hvy.
Some Trainer (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Stoneravinmad (10-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in Oct, 13 ran.
Terramarique (IRE) 4-1fav (10-11) In touch, pushed along 7th, soon ridden and weakened, 9th of 20, 41l behind Piraeus (11-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gs in Nov.
Partners Choice (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Prominent, mistake 10th, led last, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Snowy (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gf in Oct.
Pristeen Spy 11-2 (9-10) Held up mid-division, ridden and lost touch 9th, rallied and ran on 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Charliemoore (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-95 (G) frm in Oct.