towards rear, in chasing pack 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
always behind, lost touch 2 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, tailed off 2 out, pulled up before last
always towards rear, tailed off 2 out
mid-division, in chasing pack 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leader, effort after 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on to lead run-in
mid-division, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last
led, hit 1st and soon clear, hit 3 out, ridden approaching and awkward last, very tired and headed run-in
towards rear, in chasing pack 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching and pulled up before last
mid-division, lost place 3 out, tailed off next
A poor contest which looks to be between Classic Chic and Lockstown and the vote goes to Classic Chic. Donald McCain's gelding won a maiden hurdle here last time and after just three runs looks capable of a fair bit of improvement. Course and distance clearly suit, as does the ground, and he can defy a penalty. Lockstown has had just the one run under rules, in a bumper on heavy ground at Sedgefield and he showed a fair bit of promise on that occasion. Sure to have been well schooled for this hurdling debut, he can go very well. Or D'Oudairies had some decent bumper form on the board before disappointing on his hurdling debut last time at Carlisle, when tried at this trip but he is worth persevering with and may well get closely involved. Little else makes any real appeal though money for Ergo would make him interesting and Briarhill Lad will probably win a race at some point for Lennie Lungo but for today we prefer Classic Chic.
Classic Chic 14-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 5th, effort 2 out, challenged last, ridden and kept on well to lead post, won at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Mar beating Calin Royal (11-1) by a shd, 11 ran.
Ben's Creek (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Classic Chic (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Mar, 11 ran.
Billslegacy (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Held up, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Basoda (10-9) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Briarhill Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 8th of 16, 40l behind Cash Man (11-2) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Classic Act 9-1 (9-11) Held up, headway 5th, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 18, 11l behind Wise Choice (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Emmenso (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened from after 7th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Harry Wood (10-12) at Ayr 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 11 ran.
Lockstown 5-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led over 3f out, soon driven and one pace, 4th of 11, 15l behind Northern Blaze (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy in Feb.
Or d'Oudairies (FR) 25-1 (11-3) In touch until weakened 3 out, 10th of 18, well behind Jaunty Flight (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Ergo (FR) 80-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 17l behind Schelm (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
She Likes To Boogy (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, outpaced 6th, 5th of 9, well behind Bold Punt (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.