tracked winner, ridden before last, kept on and no impression run-in
made all, hit 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well
in rear, headway before 2 out, in 4th before last, kept on same pace
mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
towards rear, reminders after 3rd and pushed along, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, pushed along before 2 out, kept on from last
Akula hadn't been running badly but had dropped to a lowly mark when landing a Southwell seller last week and a 7lb penalty is unlikely to prevent another big run. BEAUMONT'S PARTY wasn't beaten far behind Dark And Dangerous at Sedgefield last time and that may be good enough for this. Stilo Blue Native, who started favourite in the race won by that same winner there last week, was always struggling and finished a long way behind. Money For Nothing has had 14 starts over fences without winning since he last ran over hurdles where he's yet to reach a place. Shalamar, three times a winner on the Flat, hasn't got to grips with hurdles while Absolute, whose yard is going well, is in very poor form despite being well supported at Newcastle last time.
Stilo Blue Native (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, mistake and weakened from 3 out, 4th of 7, 31 1/2l behind Dark And Dangerous (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Akula (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Chased leader, led briefly approaching 5th, chased leaders, ridden to chase clear leader approaching 2 out, closed last, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gs in Feb beating The Wexfordian (12-0) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Money For Nothing 7-1 (11-12) Always behind, weakened 2 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Beaumont's Party (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, under pressure 3 out, rallied next, kept on well, 4th of 8, 8 1/2l behind Dark And Dangerous (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Shalamzar (FR) 40-1 (10-7) Towards rear, some headway before 3 out, ridden after next, never reached leaders, weakened flat, 6th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Cafe Au Lait (10-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp (5) gs in Feb.
Absolute (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, soon pulled up, at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.