tracked leading pair, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led before last, ridden and joined run-in, headed and no extra final 100 yards
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd before last, soon challenging, driven ahead final 100 yards
led, went clear after 3rd until next, pushed along and headed before 2 out, weakened between last two
tracked leader who went clear after 3rd until next, lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened approaching last
last trio, never a factor, tailed off
last trio, struggling before 4 out, soon tailed off
held up in last trio, headway out wide 4 out, chased leaders next, driven and one pace when weakened and lost 3rd run-in
raced out wide in 5th, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, driven between last two, rallied before the last, kept on into 3rd run-in, no chance with leading duo
Dianne Sayer saddles three of the eight entries in this and would have been delighted to see the veteran Beeno record a rare victory away from Cartmel at Perth 10 days ago. IOLANI’s win here last month came over a longer trip but he’s not short of pace, having won three times on the Flat, and can defy top weight in this. The Navigator has been in action on the Flat but the returning Fete Champetre makes more appeal and a maiden win at Hexham will have boosted the confidence of Kensington Art. Champagne Terri is preferred to Socks Off of Adrian Keatley’s pair.
Iolani (GER) 4-1 (10-6) Held up in touch in rear, slightly hampered approaching 4th, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leader approaching last, led run in, won at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Sep beating Frightened Rabbit (10-2) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Fete Champetre (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent and outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, kept on flat, 4th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Torigni (12-1) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Beeno (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Made all, clear at few stages, not fluent 3 out, driven and stayed on gamely flat, won at Perth 2m hcp (4) gs in Sep beating Spark Of Madness (10-8) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Kensington Art 5-6fav (11-4) Mid-division, moved to track leaders at 3rd, made headway before 2 out, travelled strongly, ridden to lead after last, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m mdn (4) gd in Aug beating Low Profile (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Socks Off (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Prominent when jumped right 1st, chased leaders, lost place 3rd, fell 6th, at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Champagne Terri (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Pressed winner and clear of rest, well held after 4 out, weakened into 4th when fell 2 out, at Newbury 2m lst (1) gd in Nov.
The Navigator 11-2 (9-3) In touch in rear, pushed along 3f out, short lived effort over 2f out, weakened and hung left over 1f out, last of 5, 13 1/2l behind Roseabad (9-9) at Carlisle 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Gemologist (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, niggled along and outpaced 4 out, lost position and ridden towards rear approaching 3 out, soon tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Island Mahee (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
