chased leaders, blundered 4 out, ridden 2 out, blundered last, one pace
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, headway before 2 out, one pace in 4th
tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out
led, pushed along before 2 out, headed before last, one pace
held up in rear, headway before 3 out, joined leader 2 out, led before last, kept on well
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up
towards rear, ridden after 4 out to chase leaders, weakened before 2 out
Isaacstown Lad landed a double when scoring at Perth earlier in the year but is 15lb higher on his return. What A Steel finished just ahead of JOHNNY GO when runner-up at Hexham last time but Callum Bewley's allowance could make the difference in this as he takes over the reins on the latter and Lisa Harrison's charge gets the nod. Donna's Diamond ended last season with a win at Newcastle in March and Rival D'Estruval went close at Ayr in the same month. Neptune Equester is rare winner nowadays but has gone close off today's mark before.
Donna's Diamond (IRE) 5-1fav (11-5) Tracked leader, threatened to run out before and headed 8th, regained lead 4 out, headed 3 out, rallied to lead again last, kept on, won at Newcastle 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Wicked Spice (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Rival D'Estruval (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Held up behind, headway 4 out, weakened before last, 5th of 13, 18l behind Lord Wishes (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Night In Milan (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Jac The Legend (10-3) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Neptune Equester 12-1 (10-2) In rear, outpaced from 16th, 7th of 18, 33l behind Milborough (10-13) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Isaacstown Lad (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, led going well after 2 out, clear flat, easily, won at Perth 3m hcp (4) sft in May beating Snapping Turtle (11-9) by 6l, 9 ran.
What A Steel (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led 10th, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Five In A Row (11-12) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Johnny Go 13-2fav (10-9) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway before last, kept on, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Five In A Row (11-12) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct.