led, went clear after 2nd until 6th, headed after 4 out, weakened quickly soon after, tailed off when fell last
tracked leaders on inside, 2nd on inside travelling well before 3 out, led 2 out, narrowly headed run-in, rallied gamely to lead again final strides
bit keen, tracked leader, tracked new leader after 4 out, lost 2nd before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, beaten when mistake 2 out
waited with in rear, closer in 4th home turn, close 2nd on inside 2 out, 1 length down last, ridden into narrow lead run-in, headed final strides
chased leaders out wide, led 4 out, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, plugged on in well held 3rd
NonRunner
NonRunner
Court Dreaming is still 5lb higher than for his last hurdles win but only 3lb higher than when scoring over fences at Carlisle in October. Abbie McCain didn’t give ZAFAR a hard time on his reappearance at Newcastle. She gets on well with the seven-year-old, who won off a 3lb higher mark here back in January and is worth another try over this longer trip. The yard also run Latino Fling, who was in good form in the summer, while Schalke won at Market Rasen and Catterick last season. Snookered and Coolbane Boy would also have a chance on their best form.
Mighty Thunder 28-1 (11-6) Mid-division early, towards rear by halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Coolbane Boy (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, soon outpaced, no impression after, plugged on, 4th of 5, 5 1/2l behind Willaston (11-3) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Snookered (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Off the pace towards rear, left moderate 5th last, 5th of 11, 16 1/4l behind Lock's Corner (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Schalke 6-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, jumped right and not fluent 5th, soon lost place, well beaten from 4 out, 4th of 6, 12 1/4l behind Harry Du Berlais (10-6) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Zafar (GER) 15-2 (11-11) Mid-division on outside, not fluent 4 out, pushed along 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 16 1/2l behind Starlyte (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Latino Fling (IRE) 3-1jfav (10-3) Took keen hold, in touch, went second 2nd, pushed along before 2 out, held in rival before last, soon lost second, no extra and lost third flat, 4th of 5, 8 1/2l behind The Navigator (10-2) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Court Dreaming (IRE) 15-8fav (10-2) Chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, badly outpaced before 10th, strong rally out wide to chase leaders but still plenty to do at the last, quickened run-in to lead towards finish, won at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Dallas Des Pictons (12-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
