chased leaders, hit 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, plugged on, lost modest 3rd run-in
mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, soon outpaced
led until after 2nd, led again next, narrowly headed approaching 2 out, chased winner, stayed on same pace run-in
tracked leader 3rd, led approaching 2 out, driven out
always towards rear
keen in rear, some headway when fell 3 out
mid-division, hanging left and no impression when hampered 3 out
chased leaders out wide, losing place when mistake 5th, behind and no chance after
jumped poorly in rear, pulled hard and prominent, went right 1st, led after 2nd until wandered badly and headed next, chased leaders, plugged on, mistake last
towards rear, some headway 5th, weakening when slightly hampered 3 out
behind, tailed off going to 3 out, pulled up soon after
Check My Pulse has been carrying a penalty for his victory at Uttoxeter in August and hasn't quite been able to cope. He was well beaten by Heartbreak Kid at Sedgefield last time and the winner's yard is represented by GEROMINO. He was a 66/1 chance at Catterick earlier this month and would have finished third but for a rival falling at the last though that was a massive improvement on his debut after wind surgery and normal progress can see him go one better. Fantastic Rock won a bumper in France and started a short price for his UK debut at Ayr in November but was soon done with after attempting to make all. Better will be expected this time while Nicky Richards' newcomer Desert Sapphire is one to keep an eye on.
Check My Pulse (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Chased leaders on inside, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden and well held between last 2, hit last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 12l behind Heartbreak Kid (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov.
Akentrick 10-1 (11-4) Raced wide tracked leaders, headway 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, 12th of 14, 19 1/4l behind Punxsutawney Phil (10-8) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Feb.
Famous Moment (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, struggling before 3 out, no impression, 6th of 7, 35l behind Skatman (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Mar.
Fantastic Rock (FR) 13-8 (11-8) Led at steady pace, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Unohu (11-8) at Ayr 2m mdn (4) hvy in Nov.
Geromino (FR) 66-1 (11-2) In touch in mid-division, headway from 6th, went 3rd 3 out, held when left 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Omar Maretti (11-8) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Mar.
Lord Buttons 66-1 (11-2) Chased leader, hit 4th, ridden before bypassed 3 out, lost place quickly, no extra, 5th of 8, dist behind Topofthecotswolds (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar.
Muhtamar (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, mistake 1st, jumped right and mistake 2nd, mistake next, well behind 3 out, pulled up before last, at Kelso 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Roma Bangkok 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, much closer before 2 out, hard-ridden before last, weakened and pulled up, at Hexham 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Desert Sapphire Kalanisi M out of Dans Desert.
Hajey 8-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, lost some ground 5f out, closed from 3f out to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Ad Libitum (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Les's Legacy 200-1 (10-12) Towards rear, not fluent 1st, slow in rear 3 out, minor progress past beaten horses closing stages but never dangerous, 7th of 9, 21 1/4l behind Magna Moralia (10-12) at Kelso 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Still A Spark 300-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened quickly 3rd and soon pulled up, at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Cheeky Ches 40-1 (11-4) Raced wide towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 8th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Punxsutawney Phil (10-8) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Feb.
The Great Houdini (IRE) (11-11) (very poor visibility), pr, 2nd 1/2way, rdn into str in 4th, slw last, no ex run-in, drpd to 5th cl hm, 5th of 9, 19 1/2l behind Gold Cup Bailly (11-11) at Tattersalls 3m mdn hvy in Dec.
