tracked clear leader, joined leader 6th, led next, ridden and headed last kept on same pace flat
in touch, headway and effort approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat
in touch, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, 5th and beaten when hit 2 out
held up, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
held up, smooth headway after 4 out, went 2nd next, led last, stayed on well
held up in rear, blundered 6th, not fluent next, short lived effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led and clear to 6th, headed next, mistake and lost place 7th, no danger after
An ordinary way to round off the action for the day and The Shy Man can finally step into the limelight again. Annibale Caro and Pontop are fancied to scrap it out as the best of the rest. Pontop is very lightly raced and, having won a shade cosily last time out, he may have a bit more to offer. The market will be a good gauge where he is concerned. Annibale Caro was a game winner at Kelso 11 days ago and is respected on that effort alone. However, he has 7lb extra to carry today and, as he isn't really noted for consistency, he looks a risky proposition here. Therefore, The Shy Man looks a safer choice on this occasion. The six-year-old is holding his form well and, as he is also on an attractive mark just now, The Shy Man has plenty going for him on these terms.
Sheriff Hutton (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 25l behind Risk Runner (10-13) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Corkage (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Towards rear, weakened halfway, 6th of 9, 25l behind Percussionist (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
The Shy Man (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, outpaced after 2 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to go 2nd flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Percussionist (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Pontop (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) In touch, headway 4 out, led flat, driven out, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Mar beating Sendali (10-9) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Smarties Party 7-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 12, 21l behind Jayne's Crusader (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Solway Sunset 12-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 13, 24l behind Young Albert (11-3) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Annibale Caro 6-1 (10-1) Held up, smooth headway from 3 out to chase leaders approaching last, shaken up and led flat, comfortably, won at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Farne Island (10-3) by 3l, 13 ran.
Ethan's Star (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) Led 4th, headed 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Cote d'Argent (10-7) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Putitawayforayear (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, beaten from 2 out, 5th of 11, 47l behind Merrydown (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
