led 1st, mistake and headed 7th, soon led again, mistake 3 out, joined last, soon headed, held towards finish
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, slow next, headway 11th, went 2nd 5 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on
held up in 5th, pushed along after 8th, headway 10th, outpaced 4 out, no extra 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 12th until 5 out, weakened 3 out
led until 1st, chased leader, slow 2nd, led 7th, soon headed, outpaced before 5 out, rallied on outside 3 out, 2 lengths 3rd when mistake last, no extra flat
chased leaders, lost place after 7th, struggling 10th, mistake next, tailed off 13th, pulled up after
A tight-looking novices’ handicap with both of the chasing newcomers worth a second look. Samburu Shujaa was a winner twice over hurdles here last season and will be all the better for his reappearance at Newbury. Ocean Cove stayed well over timber and was effective on soft going, though hasn’t raced since May. Dominateur still has something to learn about jumping fences but looked a nice prospect when successful here earlier in the month and could complete a double with a clear round. However, CLONDAW ANCHOR is preferred as he built on his second at Uttoxeter when ploughing through the mud to make all at Lingfield. Golden Sunrise already looks unexposed and this looks a big ask for Sedgefield runner-up Another Emotion
Clondaw Anchor (IRE) Evensfav (11-11) Made all, pecked 3 out, clear before last, won at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Cuban Pete (10-13) by 10l, 4 ran.
Dominateur (FR) 11-2 (11-5) Held up and behind, headway 11th, ridden after 4 out, left 2nd 3 out, led after 2 out, blundered and left clear last, eased close home, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Sojourn (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ocean Cove (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Disputed lead to 1st, tracked leader, disputed lead again and clear of rest after 7th, led narrowly next, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on but no impression with winner before last, 2nd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Canyon City (10-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Samburu Shujaa (FR) 9-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 18, 14 1/2l behind Champers On Ice (11-12) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Golden Sunrise (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Led until mistake 11th, lost place 12th, rallied briefly 5 out, no danger after, 4th of 7, 16 1/2l behind Acting Lass (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Another Emotion (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Led 1st, joined 2 out, pecked last, edged left and held flat, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Billy Bronco (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
