tracked leaders, led before 3 out, headed last, kept on and lost 2nd place close home
towards rear, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, headway before 3 out, led last, held on towards finish
towards rear, headway before 3 out, kept on well from last, went 2nd place close home
in rear, headway halfway, lost place 4 out, tailed off, pulled up
prominent, blundered badly and unseated rider 6 out
led, headed before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
with leader, lost place halfway, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
SHADES OF MIDNIGHT completed a double on heavy going when successful here a year ago and has competed at a higher level since. Back in this grade on his favoured ground he looks the one to be on. Strong Economy is improving at a rate of knots and has had all of his three starts over timber on this track, landing a maiden in impressive fashion last month. He doesn't look on a bad mark for his handicap debut and looks a real threat. Ryedale Racer was the very easy winner of a novices' event at Hexham but hasn't done as well as expected in subsequent starts while Isaacstown Lad, who won four of his last five in 2015, has been struggling off his revised mark.
Shades Of Midnight 8-1 (11-10) Prominent early, held up in touch, lost place and towards rear 5th, chased leaders under pressure before 3 out, took 4th after next, kept on, never on terms, 4th of 8, 8l behind Le Rocher (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Gilt Shadow (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Towards rear, headway before 4 out, went 3rd before 3 out, challenged from 2 out, every chance run-in, held near finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Rascal (11-0) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Runswick Royal (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) In rear and jumped left, tailed off and pulled up before 9th, at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Isaacstown Lad (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 6, 25 1/2l behind Desert Cry (11-12) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Fago (FR) 66-1 (10-7) Soon tailed off, mistake 4th, pulled up before 18th, at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Strong Economy (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden before 2 out, clear last, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m 5f mdn (5) hvy in Jan beating Vertigo (11-5) by 6l, 6 ran.
Ryedale Racer 10-3 (11-12) Led, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on and held from last, 3rd of 6, 9 3/4l behind Progress Drive (11-8) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) hvy in Jan.
Pads (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Behind, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 10l behind Sammy B (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Feb.
