made most and jumped well until headed before 4 out, soon pushed and outpaced, kept on
held up towards rear, pushed after 15th, ridden before 2 out, never threatened
slightly worse than midfield, awkward 6th, progress after 15th, hit front 4 out, pushed after 3 out, ridden after last when headed, stayed on behind comfortable winner
towards rear, ridden after 2 out, could make no impression
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out when 3rd, stayed on strongly to lead after last, won going away
close-up, pushed before 4 out and made progress to challenge for lead, 2nd 2 out, 3rd jumping last, stayed on one pace
pestered leader throughout, slow 15th and soon struggling, pulled up after jumping 3 out
COSTLY DREAM has twice run well in this grade at Hexham. He has been found wanting when upped in class but should cope with this standard. General Bux almost certainly needed last month’s run at Huntingdon and makes more appeal than the returning Asking For Answers. Walkin In The Rain already looks exposed and turned in a shocker over this trip at Perth last month while Imperial Prince is not getting any younger.
General Bux 18-1 (11-9) Mid-division, struggling 3 out, never any chance, 4th of 9, 27 3/4l behind Elkstone (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Imperial Prince (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Held up behind, headway when left disputing modest 3rd 10th, chased clear leader (winner) after 5 out to before next, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Donna's Delight (12-7) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Cockle Bay (IRE) 22-1 (10-3) Towards rear, slightly outpaced 3 out and soon detached, home in own time and never a factor, 6th of 7, 24 1/4l behind Some Reign (12-0) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Walkin In The Rain (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) Held up towards rear, mistake 13th, driven and effort 14th, pulled up before 3 out, at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Asking For Answers (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, not fluent 11th, pecked next, not fluent 3 out, no extra last, 5th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Ballybreen (11-1) at Carlisle 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Costly Dream (IRE) 11-4fav (10-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, 3rd and no extra last, 4th of 10, 19 1/4l behind Mcginty's Dream (10-7) at Hexham 3m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Farran Dancer (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Mid-division, chased leaders before 6 out, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
