tracked clear pair, disputed 2nd after 9th, chased winner 3 out, 2 lengths down next, soon outpaced, no chance after
chased winner and soon clear of rest, lost place 4 out, no danger after, plugged on in modest 4th from 2 out
held up behind clear leaders, went 3rd after 4 out, outpaced 2 out, never on terms
in touch when blundered and unseated rider 1st
jumped right, always behind, lost touch 5 out, tailed off
made all, soon clear, 2 lengths advantage 2 out, ridden and drew clear again between last 2, in no danger after, stayed on well, eased towards finish
not fluent, always in rear, lost touch 11th, continued tailed off
NonRunner
A few of these have a bit to prove at present and the bottom four in the handicap will all be carrying at least 4lb more than their allotted weight. Cool Valley was second last time at Hexham and that was a marked improvement on previous efforts, though has been raised 3lb. Sulamani The Late is a long-standing maiden but Romulus Du Donjon must have some sort of chance along with Bocasien Desbois. SWINTON DIAMOND may have fewer negatives attached than most. Little went right when he was fourth on his chasing bow at Uttoxeter and he is back on the same mark as when successful over hurdles at Market Rasen last year.
Romulus Du Donjon (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Always towards rear ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 24 3/4l behind Crest (11-6) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in May.
Cool Valley (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd from 5th until 6th, 2nd again next, every chance before last, kept on, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Reverse The Charge (10-8) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Bocasien Desbois (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in touch in rear, outpaced 3 out, never near leaders, weakened between last 2, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Swinton Diamond (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, blundered 2nd, hampered 4th, went 2nd 5th until 7th, lost place after 9th, not fluent 11th or 13th, weakened before 3 out, remote 3rd 2 out until last, 4th of 7, dist behind Premier King (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Falcos (FR) 13-2 (10-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 6th until 7th, 3rd from 2 out, stayed on same pace, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Reverse The Charge (10-8) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
King Golan (IRE) 80-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, led before 3rd, soon headed, led 8th until 10th, not fluent and lost place 11th, well beaten 3 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Rebel Yeats (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Knocklayde (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, dist behind Andhaar (10-1) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in May.
Sulamani The Late (FR) 22-1 (10-7) Held up in chasing group, under pressure when refused 4 out, at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Gentleman James 18-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, lost place next, 11th of 15, 25 1/2l behind Celtic Flames (11-13) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
