raced in second, shaken up approaching 2 out, joined leader last, kept on run-in but no match for winner
made all, pushed along briefly approaching 7th, faced challenge approaching last, kept on strongly flat, comfortably
never better than midfield, didn\'t jump with fluency, ridden and weakened approaching last
prominent, pushed along approaching last, no extra and weakened flat
midfield, shaken up approaching last, no extra and lost third towards finish
midfield, didn\'t jump with fluency, ridden and weakened after 2 out
towards rear, shaken up when headway approaching last, kept on for third towards finish but no match for first two
NonRunner
De Legislator took a while to warm to his task at Hexham but was a cosy winner in the end. He’ll know more today but this is a tougher assignment with Imperial Merlin aiming to make it 3-3 over timber and HITCHING JACKING improving with every run. The latter gets the nod after getting off the mark at Uttoxeter in a race where the finishers came home at wide intervals. It will be a surprise if any of the remainder manage to play a leading role.
Imperial Merlin (IRE) 2-5fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, pressed front pair 4 out, disputed lead 3 out, soon led, drew clear 2 out and ran green, pushed out run-in, easily, won at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) gs in Dec beating Macavity (11-0) by 14l, 4 ran.
De Legislator (IRE) 4-9fav (11-0) Tracked leader until before 6th (normal 3 out), pushed along and went 2nd again home turn, led last, pushed along and kept on well run-in, won at Hexham 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov beating Quickasican (11-0) by 2l, 3 ran.
Goodoldbill 22-1 (11-6) Led, headed and tracked leaders 5th, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 18 1/2l behind Sundrenched (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Apr.
Something Golden (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) In rear, mistake 3rd, soon pushed along, well behind 3 out, last of 8, dist behind Bertie's Wish (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
How Much (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Off the pace towards rear, tailed off and pulled up in back straight, at Catterick 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Ellistrin Star 28-1 (11-0) Tracked leader until 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 9, 15 3/4l behind Green Oaks Top Cat (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gd in Mar.
Gypsey's Secret (IRE) 250-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, well beaten 2 out, no extra, 11th of 13, 36l behind Charcor (10-13) at Kelso 2m (3) gd in May.
Hitching Jacking (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Chased leaders on outside, led 3 out, clear 2 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec beating Saladam (11-0) by 6l, 14 ran.
