tracked front pair, not fluent 7th, driven and lost place before 4 out, left behind from next, tailed off
held up in 4th, mistake 6th, tracked front pair before 4 out, outpaced after last, soon ridden, kept on, never able to challenge
tracked winner throughout, ridden after last, kept on, never pace to challenge
outpaced in rear most of way, lost touch 5 out, tailed off
jumped well, made all, driven after last, ridden turning into straight, ran on well
Long-standing maiden Sussex Road is readily dismissed and Black Art has shown nothing in two runs over fences but the remaining trio all have a chance of sorts. Carntop was useful on the Flat and won twice over hurdles at Worcester last summer but doesn’t have a chasing pedigree. Sonic won twice over hurdles and ran in points earlier so may be a better long-term prospect, though also has an absence to overcome. TONTO’S SPIRIT was a winner over hurdles here a year ago and placed over fences at Ayr in January. He was in a tough handicap last time at the Scottish track and should find this more to his liking.
Black Art 10-3 (11-5) Prominent, led 3rd, headed next, mistake 7th, lost place 5 out, behind when pulled up 3 out, at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Carntop Evensfav (11-10) Chased clear leader (winner) and clear of rest from 3rd, struggling when not fluent 3 out, no chance after, lost modest 2nd next, weakened into 4th flat, 4th of 8, 37 1/4l behind Totterdown (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Sonic (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Led until 4th, slow 6th, under pressure after 3 out, soon weakened, last of 4, 12 1/2l behind Iolani (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Sussex Road (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 4th, in rear 6th, behind 11th, soon pulled up, at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Tonto's Spirit 9-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, lost place halfway, beaten 5 out, 5th of 7, 20 3/4l behind Charmant (11-10) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
