tracked leader until lost place 4th, towards rear when ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
close up, pressed leader when hit 10th, ridden when weakened 2 out
prominent until ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
mistakes, always in rear, hit 2nd, behind from 5th, tailed off
tracked leaders until 4th, close up, ridden to go 3rd 3 out, kept on same pace from next
in rear, ridden 4 out, headway to press leader 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
not fluent, made most until ridden and headed approaching last, kept on one pace, lost 2nd towards finish
prominent, ridden 4 out, outpaced next, rallied approaching last, driven and stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
held up, headway 5th, hit 8th, weakened before 2 out
Snuker has obvious claims racing off a lower mark back over hurdles having landed a double over fences last month. Amethyst Rose scored at Hexham last time and is upped 11lb for that success, while Brae On finished ahead of Lady Of Verona when runner-up at the same track but has ran poorly since. MAGGIE BLUE ran well in a tougher race at Carlisle a week ago having beaten St Gregory at Newcastle before that, and racing off the same mark today, Harriet Graham's mare gets the vote.
Lakefield Rebel (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden and lost place 5th, never on terms, 8th of 15, 45l behind Howaboutnow (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Maggie Blue (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, disputing 2nd next, every chance last, one pace and no impression flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Omid (10-6) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Amethyst Rose (IRE) 11-2fav (10-0) Mid-division, headway and in touch 5th, disputed lead before 7th, led approaching last, ridden and kept on flat, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov beating Saddlers Mot (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 17 ran.
Mia's Anthem (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, some headway 2 out, kept on same pace before last, never near leaders, 6th of 9, 30l behind Snuker (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov.
Lady Of Verona (IRE) 10-3fav (10-9) Held up behind, chased leaders 7th, chased winner before last until no extra near finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Charlie Bucket (10-4) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
Brae On (IRE) 3-1fav (10-1) In touch, mistake 5th, pushed along before 9th, weakened before next, 6th of 9, 19l behind Omid (10-6) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Lucky Sun 11-2fav (10-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 17, 36l behind Amethyst Rose (10-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov.
Snuker 11-8fav (10-12) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again 7th, made most after, driven and headed briefly before last, ridden flat, asserted clear final 110 yards, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov beating Fozy Moss (9-7) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
St Gregory (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden before 2 out, kept on one pace, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Maggie Blue (10-5) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Nov.
Morello Mist 50-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, lost place before 3rd, behind 8th, pulled up after 11th, in a race won by Monbeg (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov, 6 ran.