led, pushed along and headed before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out
held up in touch, chased winner 3 out, ridden before last, lost 2nd briefly run-in, kept on and no chance with winner
held up mid-division, reminders before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
in rear, headway before 2 out, chased winner briefly run-in, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led before 3 out, clear before last, eased towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, ridden and weakened before 3 out
DIAMOND D'AMOUR is improving fast and followed a facile success in a novice hurdle here with a very good run in a handicap at Newcastle where he was caught in the closing stages by subsequent winner Stormy Weather. He can get back on the winning trail though Surprise Vendor looks a tough opponent. Stuart Coltherd's charge was left clear when scoring at Kelso though he would probably have won anyway and was still in touch when falling at Ayr three weeks ago. Nowurhurlin won a novice hurdle here in November but has since run poorly in two handicaps and Willie Hall looks a bigger threat. The latter was in very good form around this time a year ago and, though showing little over fences this season, is reasonably treated.
Diamond D'amour (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Led, driven after 3 out, joined next, soon ridden, kept on under pressure until headed and no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Stormy Weather (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Knockavilla (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Prominent, ridden and weakened 10th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Tyrone House (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Willie Hall 9-2 (11-6) In rear, mistakes 1st and 4th, headway 2 out, stayed on approaching last, never able to challenge, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Primrose Time (10-5) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Suprise Vendor (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, fell 4 out, in a race won by Nelson du Ronceray (10-7) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Knight Valliant 12-1 (10-1) Always behind, hit 5th, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Allow Me (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Nowurhurlin (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) In rear, pushed along 4 out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Carters Rest (10-7) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Open de L'Isle (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Led to 4th, outpaced from 4 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 7l behind Nelson du Ronceray (10-7) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Master Act (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Teenage Idol (10-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Sir Boreas Hawk 5-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, weakened 4 out, 5th of 9, well behind Reindeer Dippin (11-0) at Hexham 2m nov chs (4) hvy in Dec '09.
