close up to 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden before next, soon weakened
in touch, effort 3 out, weakened before next
close up, weakened 3 out
held up, headway to chase leaders 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced
always behind
in touch, outpaced halfway, stayed on one pace from 2 out, no chance with first two
prominent, outpaced 2 out, 6 lengths down last, rallied strongly flat to lead post
close up, led 3 out, 6 lengths clear last, headed post, no extra
always behind
Minster Shadow gets a tentative vote over Brooklyn Breeze, Moyne Pleasure, Kealshore Lad and Camden Bella. There are plenty in with a shout here, with nothing actually standing out on form. If Brooklyn Breeze was anywhere near fit on this return from a protracted absence, then he would certainly be interesting, but the market may be a good guide to that poser. There are no such doubts about Minster Shadow though, and Chris Grant's eight-year-old surely deserves to pick up a race of this nature on his past efforts. Not beaten far at Kelso last time, he holds Camden Bella on that form, and is still well treated compared to a couple of years ago. Moyne Pleasure was fit from two spins on the all-weather when scoring at Hexham last time in what was a moderate affair. He is fully exposed but at least gets weight all round here. Kealshore Lad appears to be going the right way, and has just his second start in a handicap so is worth bearing in mind, but we prefer the claims of Minster Shadow
Habitual Dancer 25-1 (11-12) Led, headed after 6th, soon weakened, last of 11, well behind Dark Corner (10-3) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Brooklyn Breeze (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, reminders after 11th, ridden and headway 3 out, one pace flat, 4th of 16, 6l behind Sir Oj (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Dec '05.
Overserved 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, effort under pressure 3 out, no impression from next, 7th of 16, 29l behind Witch Wind (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Tomenoso 18-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 8th, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 23l behind Haggle Twins (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Carapuce (FR) 25-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, weakened after 7th, 5th of 11, 39l behind Sotovik (9-13) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Apr.
Zeitgeist (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 11, 33l behind Brave Vision (10-3) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Minster Shadow 5-1 (10-10) In touch, effort and chance 2 out, held flat, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Witch Wind (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Kempski 14-1 (10-12) Led, headed approaching 2nd, remained prominent until weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 16, 27l behind Witch Wind (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Camden Bella 22-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway and in touch halfway, effort 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Witch Wind (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Kealshore Lad 2-1fav (10-12) In touch, effort 4 out, soon ridden, 3rd and one pace when mistake 2 out, 5th of 11, 5l behind Return Ticket (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Moyne Pleasure (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Held up, headway between last 2, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft beating Thatlldoforme (10-2) by 5l, 6 ran.
