in rear, went 3rd from 11th, no impression
in touch in 3rd, went 2nd from 8th, hit 4 out, challenged last, shaken up to lead run-in, kept on, just held on
tracked leaders in 3rd, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
tracked leader until 8th, weakened 11th
led, soon clear, jumped left 3 out, ridden before last, headed run-in, kept on and just held near finish
Nonrunner
Buckstruther has won seven of his eight start between the flags but his record over regulation fences is a major concern, though he did dead-heat with the useful Amicelli at Hexham points when last seen. At the likely odds, we'll take on the 11-year-old with COCOA KEY who will be all the better for a recent run at Witton Castle where he cut out the running until outpaced. A New Rising should be thereabouts but The Wifes Pet was tailed off here on her reappearance and is best watched again today.
A New Rising (IRE) 25-1 (12-5) Ap; one pce 3 out, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Coquet Head (12-5) at Alnwick 3m ptp sft.
Buckstruther (IRE) 11-8 (12-5) Went 2nd 11; clr w wnr nxt; stayed on wl flat; fin 1%l 2nd; promoted, won at Hexham 3m ptp gd in Jun deadheating with Amicelli (12-5), 11 ran.
Cocoa Key (IRE) 2-1 (12-5) Led to 12; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 4, 12l behind Fiftyfive Degrees (12-5) at Witton Castle 3m ptp sft.
Silent Cliche (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Lost tch 12; to, 4th of 11, 50l behind Barachois Silver (11-7) at Hexham Points 3m ptp sft in May.
The Wifes Pet (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Not fluent, soon tailed off, last of 7, well behind Creevytennant (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hts chs (3) gs.
Granaruid (IRE) 25-1 (12-1) Held up, mistakes 5th and 6th, ridden 12th, modest 6th 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Cottage Oak (11-13) at Kelso 2m 7f hts chs (6) hvy in Jan, 11 ran.
