held up, took keen hold, not fluent 4th, headway on outside 3 out, outpaced before next, soon weakened
2nd or 3rd until not fluent 2 out, 4th and weakening when not fluent last
made all, driven and pressed from out, stayed on gamely, pulled out more towards finish
2nd or 3rd, challenged on stands side 2 out, every chance last, held and lost 2nd close home
held up, headway on inside 2 out, closed final 100 yards and looked likely to press winner, went 2nd close home but held
STRAIT RUN had threatened to score on a couple of occasions before getting off the mark on his 18th attempt over hurdles at Sedgefield last month. He wouldn't have much more to do to complete a double and Joe Colliver can steer him home again. Instingtive will be carrying a 7lb penalty for a narrow victory over today's rival Pc Dixon and the runner-up, who is only five and open to improvement, can turn the tables on slightly better terms. Shanaway has shown a glimmer of ability on occasions but may need a confidence booster while his stable companion Budarri has done nothing to justify carrying a big weight.
Budarri 66-1 (11-2) Soon chased leader until before 6th, lost place from 3 out, 4th of 6, 27 1/4l behind Grand Morning (11-8) at Ayr 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Shanaway (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) In rear, fell 5 out, at Wetherby 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Instingtive (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Made all, ridden when pressed from 2 out, ran on well, won at Ayr 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb beating Pc Dixon (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Strait Run (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, led before last, held on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Dark And Dangerous (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Pc Dixon 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, chased leaders next, stayed on well closing stages, never reached winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Instingtive (10-7) at Ayr 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
