Papamoa has been crying out for this trip and once again stayed on strongly when runner-up over 2m5f at Hexham last time though the assessor may have overreacted with a 7lb rise. The lightly-raced Master Act makes his handicap debut and is another trying the trip for the first time while Risk Runner ran a shocker when fancied at Carlisle last week. Shooting Times is just 1lb higher than when scoring here in March but has hardly picked his feet up since and Easter Vic is a massive 14lb higher than when successful over the C&D in March. Artic Night had been running poorly before landing some nice bets at Carlisle where the testing conditions appeared to be responsible. He should go well again but DELIGHTFULLY gets the vote as she was caught right on the line by Waywood Princess at Wetherby a week ago and can race from the same mark here.
Master Act (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) With leader, driven 3 out, ridden to chase leading pair before next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Jackson Cage (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Artic Night (FR) 7-4fav (10-10) With leader, upsides 3 out, led approaching last, ridden and kept on flat, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec beating Gulf Punch (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Shooting Times 33-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, weakened from 11th, 10th of 14, well behind Tanzanite Bay (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
Easter Vic 11-4fav (10-6) Not fluent 1st and 2nd, behind, pushed along from 3rd, ridden before 6th, chased leaders under pressure before 3 out, went beaten 3rd next, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 7, 28l behind Ruff Diamond (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Papamoa 5-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, lost place before 6th and in rear, headway before 2 out, chased winner before last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Dusky Bob (11-6) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Risk Runner (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway 8th, outpaced 3out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 34l behind Carmela Maria (10-8) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Delightfully (FR) 13-2 (11-5) Held up behind, headway and in touch 9th, led after 4 out, ridden between last, kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Waywood Princess (9-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
