held up, towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leading pair after last, no impression
led, reminders and headed 6th, remaind close up, reminders and weakened from 8th
held up, towards rear and keen, hit 5th, pushed along after 8th, weakened after 4 out, fell next
always close up, led after 4 out, stayed on under pressure, driven out
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 6th, headed after 4 out, weakened after last
always behind, never dangerous
held up, towards rear, headway approaching 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, mid-division on inner, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, weakened last
held up, towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, weakened approaching last
held up, towards rear and keen, chased leaders 5th, went 2nd and every chance approaching last, ridden flat, kept on, held near finish
in touch, weakened approaching 9th
chased leaders, not fluent 8th, soon reminders, weakened approaching 3 out
Nonrunner
FIRST STREAM is still progressing and he can win again despite a 6lb higher mark; the main dangers appear to be Grandad Bill, Quick Will and and Sumak in a competitive heat. Howard Johnson's son of Lomitas contested Group races in Europe when trained on the flat and his hurdles mark of 120 still looks manageable. A two month break should have freshened him up and proven on this course he is fancied to win again. Casual Affair ran well last time out and like Simple Jim he has some previous with the selection and some work to do. Patriot and Just Maddie may improve now entering handicaps on lowly weights, the market needs watching for Irish raider Bale O'Shea now stepped up in trip, whilst Sendali continues to defy the handicapper and is considered accordingly. Sumak is an interesting contender; he needed every yard to win at Sedgefield but then then ran poorly at Newcastle when weak in the betting. Today's longer trip will suit, as will the ground, and he looks a massive potential improver. Quick Will ran well behind Leith Walk here earlier in the month, whilst Grandad Bill has been running in better races and acquitting himself well. A competitive heat, but First Stream can complete the hat-trick.
First Stream (GER) 8-1 (11-6) Held up, mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec beating Portavadie (11-5) by hd, 13 ran.
Luna Landing 12-1 (11-7) Prominent, reminders after 6th, weakened from 8th, 8th of 11, well behind Little Shilling (11-9) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sep.
Moves Goodenough 40-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened, last of 11, well behind Echo Point (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Grandad Bill (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) In touch, driven, outpaced after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure from next, 4th of 12, 7l behind Eradicate (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs.
Quick Will (FR) 11-1 (11-1) In touch, outpaced 4 out, ridden next, kept on under pressure and every chance last, chased winner flat, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Leith Walk (9-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Border Tale 12-1 (11-5) Behind, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, never nearer, 6th of 11, 32l behind Still At Lunch (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Casual Affair 25-1 (11-1) Held up, hit 4 out, headway next, ridden, kept on approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 13, 7l behind Leith Walk (9-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Sumak (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 35l behind Grandad Bill (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Bale O'shea (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Mid-division, 8th after halfway, headway on outer 3 out, 3rd and challenged 2 out, left 2nd after last, soon no extra, 2nd of 20, 8l behind Lastoftheleaders (11-3) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 sft.
Simple Jim (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Held up, towards rear, headway 3 out, one pace last, 5th of 13, 6l behind First Stream (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Just Maddie 14-1 (10-7) Led, headed 4 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 8, well behind Aibrean (11-3) at Kelso 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Patriot (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, driven, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 10, 34l behind Benny Be Good (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Sendali (FR) 11-1 (10-0) Always prominent, led 2 out, soon ridden, held on under pressure flat, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan beating Dancing Dik (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
