close up, effort and disputed lead from 2 out until last, one pace flat
held up, struggling 5 out, soon beaten
led to 9th, chased leaders until outpaced and blundered 4 out, soon beaten
held up, headway 5 out, effort 2 out, led flat, stayed on well
mistakes, close up, led 9th, hard pressed from 3 out, headed flat, kept on
chased leaders, ridden 11th, rallied after next, weakened after 4 out
prominent until weakened after 11th
Master Sebastian has the class to get the better of Cloudmor, with Lethem Air and Brave Thought best of the remainder. Master Sebastian has been well placed to land his last two starts, at Ayr and Newcastle, and although the handicapper will now start turning the screw, Lucinda Russell's charge is such a gutsy sort, having improved markedly from last year, that he has to be supported again. He should again have Lethem Air's measure, having beaten him at Ayr, although it must be pointed out that the latter was racing from 5lb out of the weights that day, so perhaps would have beaten the selection off his correct mark. Beaten since though, he is opposed again. A bigger danger should be Cloudmor who returned to chasing to record a third straight win at Sedgefield last time. Still not badly treated, he can give the selection most to do. Brave Thought is getting a bit long in the tooth now and might need this first outing since October, and all in all, it is Master Sebastian that has the best claims of all.
Master Sebastian 4-1 (11-12) Close up, led before 4 out, hard pressed from next, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan beating Lampion Du Bost (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Brave Thought (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Towards rear, hit 6th, not fluent when weakening 4 out, 4th of 7, 34l behind Launde (11-12) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Lethem Air 5-2fav (11-5) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 34l behind Gastornis (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Sands Rising 16-1 (10-9) Held up, weakened from 11th, 8th of 14, 24l behind Milan Deux Mille (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Cloudmor (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Tracked leader, ridden 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, all out, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan beating Marshall Hall (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Sound Of Cheers 11-2 (9-13) Held up, outpaced 4 out, 5th of 14, 16l behind Milan Deux Mille (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Star of Raven 10-1 (11-2) Held up, no chance from 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Cantarinho (11-7) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (H) gd in May '04, 12 ran.
