held up behind, ran green and pushed along, soon struggling, tailed off, pulled up 3f out
held up towards rear, pushed along 6f out, soon tailed off
held up mid-division, tracked leaders over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, clear over 1f out, kept on strongly
tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression from over 1f out
in touch, weakened over 4f out
With such testing conditions, the ability to stay will be paramount and COURT RED looks a plausible call in this finale. There was something of a market plunge on John Wade's gelding ahead of his debut at Catterick and, though the money remained in the bookmakers' satchels, he was doing his best work at the finish and should be capable of building upon the experience. Crooked Arrow realised 82,000gns as a yearling but things have clearly not gone to plan. Mick Easterby's decision to take a punt on him at the sales could be just that. Brian Ellison had a 40 per cent strike rate with his runners at the course last season so any market confidence behind Samdellin would make him of interest. Hellorboston won a maiden point-to-point at Loughanmore last month so there should be few fitness concerns on his first run for Donald McCain.
Big Benjie Lahib gelding out of Bula Rose.
Court Red (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) In rear, headway over 2f out, never nearer, 5th of 11, 25l behind Pair Of Jacks (11-4) at Catterick 2m NH flat (6) sft.
Crooked Arrow (IRE) Galileo gelding out of Mythologie.
Hellorboston (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Alw pr, ld 2out, chall last, rallied & battled well, won at Loughanmore 3m ire ptp hvy in Nov beating North Square (10-11) by nk, 9 ran.
Monoco Man (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off from over 4f out, 14th of 15, well behind Just Cameron (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Samdellin Helissio gelding out of Pepper Star.
The Bold Lord (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 4th over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 11, 7l behind Enchanted Garden (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft.
Silver Speech 200-1 (10-4) Held up mid-division, one pace and no impression from over 2f out, 8th of 11, 19l behind Enchanted Garden (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft.
Watchmego 50-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, 34l behind Caledonia (10-11) at Kelso 2m NH flat (6) gs in Oct.