tracked leader, joined leader 6th, blundered next, led soon after, headed next, ridden and outpaced by winner from 2 out
keen led, mistake 7th and soon headed, weakened from 3 out
tracked leaders, joined leaders 7th, jumped left and led next, jumped left final three fences, clear from 2 out, eased flat
Sam Lord had already scored on the Flat and over hurdles prior to his winning debut over fences at Sedgefield. He still has some scope while James Ewart's pair have already shown ability over the larger obstacles. Si Bien was placed over C&D in November and won at Newcastle in January, while Signalman has only found one too good at Kelso and Hexham so far. THE KNOXS finally got his act together at Sedgefield last month, however, and may now be ready to fulfil his considerable promise over fences. Victory here would be a further step in the right direction.
Sam Lord 16-1 (11-0) Made virtually all, clear after 3rd, shaken up 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Sedgefield 2m beg chase (4) gs beating Lightening Rod (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Si Bien (FR) 85-40 (11-0) Tracked leaders, chased leader from 4th until 3 out, weakened from next, 3rd of 11, 21l behind High Ransom (10-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
The Knoxs (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Prominent, went 2nd from 10th, led narrowly and blundered 2 out, about 2 lengths up and going well when blundered lasr, soon headed, rallied run-in, regained lead last 75 yards, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) sft in Feb beating Sir Tantallus Hawk (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Signalman 6-4 (10-7) Close up, blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 8th, ridden 2 out, effort last, kept on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 3, 3l behind Woody Waller (10-7) at Hexham 2m nov chs (4) hvy.
