held up towards rear, headway 2 out, weakened final 100 yards
held up in rear, pushed along after 2nd, weakened from next
led, headed 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, led 2f out, kept on (no time taken)
held up mid-division and keen, no impression after last
held up, effort 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on to go 2nd towards finish
It's quite easy to form a shortlist here, and it's headed by Jim Lambe's NOCTURNAL KNIGHT, and joined by Bubbly Breeze and Grand Diamond. Nocturnal Knight posted a career best effort on debut for his new yard last time out when runner up in a similar event at Hexham a fortnight ago. He's still a maiden after 38 races, but the fact he's our selection here tells you all you need to know about the race. He's got ability, but needs that to be complemented by a positive attitude. Jim Goldie ended a barren spell yesterday with a big priced winner on the flat at Redcar; he does alright here at one of his local tracks but Grand Diamond, the highest rated here of those with a mark, has been disappointing in his trio of hurdles' outings to date, most recently in his last run at Perth last month. He's had a modicum of success on the flat, and it's not a race that's going to take much winning. Bubbly Breeze was a modest purchase a couple of years ago and this is his racing debut; the yard know how to turn out a winning debutant though, and any market support would be encouraging. Our preference though is for Nocturnal Knight.
Arran Law (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway and prominent over 6f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 16, 13l behind Malakai (10-12) at Hexham 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Bubbly Breeze (IRE) Hubbly Bubbly gelding out of Belon Breeze.
Grand Diamond (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 11, 10l behind Dark Energy (11-0) at Perth 2m clm hdl (5) gd in Sep.
Le Platino (GER) 20-1 (10-13) Held up headway 5th, outpaced approaching 2 out, 7th of 16, 25l behind Surprise Pension (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Nocturnal Knight 85-40 (10-12) Tracked winner, not fluent 2 out, ridden approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Blacktoft (11-5) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Oscar Wild 11-1 (10-3) In touch, weakened approaching 4th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Lindseyfield Lodge (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in May.
Santiago Atitlan 66-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 5, 23l behind Blacktoft (11-5) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Saujana 28-1 (10-9) Behind when hampered paddock bend, struggling 6f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Monogram (11-0) at Kelso 2m NH flat (6) gd.
Spare Days 20-1 (10-2) Mid-division, reminders 5th, headway to challenge 3 out, lost place after next, ridden and weakened flat, 7th of 14, 13l behind Sea Cove (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Itstooearly 100-1 (10-5) Towards rear, jumped slowly 13th, behind 13th, tailed off when mistake 2 out, 7th of 8, well behind Fairoak Lad (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov stks (4) gf in Aug.
Hold On Julio (IRE) 300-1 (10-12) Behind, struggling 6th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Mr Woods (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
