chased leaders in 3rd, ridden and lost place from 10th
mistake 1st, chased leaders in 4th when fell 4th
towards rear, went remote 4th 5 out, never dangerous
led from 2nd, soon clear, unchallenged
in rear, jumped left 1st, tailed off from 10th
led to 2nd, chased winner, kept on no impression
held up towards rear, went 3rd at 10th, no impression
close up, fell 1st
Golan Way developed into a decent hurdler but there is a slight doubt as to whether he has the size and scope to make it over fences whilst his yard is better known for their exploits with juvenile hurdlers and have failed to send out a winner over the larger obstacles in recent seasons. Steel Magnate is not without claims whilst Key Cutter and Irish point winner Not So Sure Dick are worth considering but another chance is given to useful hurdler ALWAYS BOLD. He was a little disappointing on his third and most recent start over fences when fitted with cheekpieces but he had run well on his first two attempts and may not have been suited by the stiff track at Hexham so this less exacting track may help to show him in a better light on his return to action.
Always Bold (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 3rd, joined 8th, reminder 11th, not fluent next, hit and headed 3 out, ridden and no impression between last 2, lost 2nd flat, one pace, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Flying Doctor (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Jun.
Corker 10-1 (11-3) Mid-division, blundered 2nd, headway 5th, lost place 9th, no impression when pecked 2 out, 10th of 20, 45l behind Munlochy Bay (9-11) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Doheny Bar (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, with winner, led briefly 3rd, weakened after 6th, mistake next, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Am I Blue (10-13) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Golan Way 8-1 (11-7) Raced wide, with leader, led 5th, hit next, headed before 7th, driven and lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, left poor 4th last, 4th of 7, 40l behind Trenchant (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Gunnadoit (USA) 33-1 (11-4) In rear, well behind after 5th, tailed off, 11th of 17, well behind Mycenean Prince (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Sep.
Key Cutter (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Led until 2nd, chased leader, not fluent 4th, led 6th until next, weakened 3 out, 7th of 13, 28l behind Valento (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Apr.
Not So Sure Dick (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, pushed along over 7f out, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 14, 35l behind Vicpol (10-9) at Stratford 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jun.
Steel Magnate (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Led, jumped left 6th, mistake 8th (water), pushed along approaching and headed 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, rallied last, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Frontier Dancer (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Sep.
