held up towards rear, blundered 2nd, never on terms
chased leader until after 4th, chased leaders, weakening when hit 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
soon chasing leaders, went 2nd 6th, pushed along to lead 4 out, blundered next, driven out
held up last, never a factor
mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, ridden and went 3rd at the last, stayed on same pace run-in
reminders and behind after 2nd, went left next, closer approaching 4 out, 5th and well held when went left next, weakened
led until 4 out, lost 2nd next, weakened before the last
chased leaders on inside, switched left approaching 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, every chance when pecked next, pressed winner last, driven and kept on run-in
raced keenly, soon chasing leaders, 2nd after 4th until 7th, weakened after next
Glimpse Of Gold is no world-beater but is fairly treated and probably has the ability to win a race like this. Jeu De Mots won at Cartmel in July but has struggled off higher marks since. Stormbay Bomber is usually thereabouts but on a long losing run, though cheekpieces and a tongue-tie are added today. The going may be softer than ideal but JOHN WILLIAMS is something of a standing dish around here. He is bidding for a fifth win at the track and won’t be far away if a run at Hexham has blown away the cobwebs.
Felix Mendelssohn (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Le Frank (11-2) at Carlisle 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
John Williams (IRE) 9-1 (12-5) Chased leader until 3 out, weakened before last, 6th of 8, 20 1/4l behind Casimir Du Clos (10-11) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Buyer Beware (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, blundered next, 6th of 10, 29 3/4l behind Battleofthesomme (10-4) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Jeu De Mots (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Soon mid0division, headway after 8th, 3rd and no impression on winner from last, one pace, 3rd of 8, 21l behind Mash Potato (11-3) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Diamond Rock 25-1 (11-5) Led, bad mistake and pecked 5th, soon driven, headed and weakened before blundered badly 2 out, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Glimpse Of Gold 5-1 (10-11) Mid-division, mistake 4th, left 3rd next, went 2nd 7th until 9th, challenged 3 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Shininstar (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Stormbay Bomber (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 10, 8 3/4l behind Jaxlight (10-6) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Istimraar (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Always behind, beaten 3 out, last of 11, dist behind Holy Motivation (11-11) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Duhallowcountry (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Chased leaders on inside, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 12, 23 1/4l behind Mountain Of Angels (10-5) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.