raced keenly in 4th, 2nd at 6th until after 4 out, chased leading pair until 3 out, weakened soon after
tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 4 out, led 2 out, over 1 length ahead last, joined run-in, stayed on to assert towards finish
in touch, pushed along in 4th after 4 out, went well held 3rd next until 2 out, weakened
led until 2 out, chased winner and over 1 length down last, rallied under pressure and every chance run-in, no extra towards finish
chased leader until 6th, lost place quickly, fell next
last pair, never on terms
reminders after 6th, always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, headway 3 out, plugged on into never dangerous 3rd next
always in rear, never a factor, tailed off
towards rear, pushed along in 5th after 4 out, no impression
The four-year-old GEMOLOGIST was placed twice here in the spring and ran very well in a similar-class handicap on a return visit last month, form that should be good enough for this. Shetland Bus showed a bit of potential in Ireland and didn't appear to act on the heavy ground on his debut for new connections at Hexham. Winning bumper Sidi Ismael makes his handicap debut though looks high enough in the weights as does Cousin Oscar, who was well beaten off this mark at Sedgefield. Keep The River has gone backwards since her maiden victory while Pammi was soon beaten on her handicap debut at Ayr.
Choix Des Armes (FR) 18-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, hit 2nd, not always fluent after, mistake 12th and next, soon struggling, beaten when pulled up after 2 out, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Shetland Bus (GER) 8-1 (11-10) Always in rear, ridden 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 22 1/4l behind Duchess Ravenwaves (11-5) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Sidi Ismael (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Prominent on outside, blundered 7th, led narrowly after 4 out to after next, ridden and outpaced between last 2, no impression before last, 4th of 7, 13 1/2l behind Uncle Jonty (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) hvy in Nov.
Cousin Oscar (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 11, 21 1/2l behind Kingrullah (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Keep The River 18-1 (11-10) Towards rear, ridden and struggling from 4 out, 5th of 11, 34 1/2l behind Im Too Generous (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Gemologist (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out, headway chasing leaders 3 out, hit next, went 2nd and blundered last, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Fisher Green (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Princess Nearco (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Mistakes, always in rear, 7th of 14, dist behind Redford Road (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Pammi 20-1 (10-10) Prominent, led after 3rd, headed after 4 out, led again next, headed before 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 13l behind Jessiemac (10-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Maulesden May (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In touch, pushed along 3 out, no impression, hit last, 6th of 12, 32 3/4l behind Timetochill (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Frame Rate 10-1 (11-7) Held up, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Chanceanotherfive (11-6) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
