led, headed 3rd, led again under pressure 3 out, headed before 2 out, jumped right 2 out, kept on same pace thereafter
took keen hold, tracked leaders, smooth headway 3 out, led before last, kept on well run-in
towards rear, headway under pressure before 2 out, held every chance last, kept on run-in
in rear, steady headway travelling strongly before 2 out, slightly hampered 2 out, switched right before last, kept on same pace run-in
in rear, steady headway before 2 out, ridden 2 out, no extra soon after
towards rear, pushed along 2 out, no impression on leaders but kept on run-in
close up, led 3rd, mistake 6th, headed before 3 out, ridden soon after, weakened from 2 out
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from last
Smart Lass gained her only success over hurdles at this track and has won five times on the Flat here. Sonning scored at this level at Sedgefield and was carrying a penalty when a close fifth in a better race at Wetherby. It's almost two years since Fostered Phil won a Newcastle maiden hurdle while Cuban Cigar has been going well without quite getting there. EVITA DU MESNIL was beaten a neck on her comeback at Kelso then ran in a better race at Carlisle. She's won her share of races and can get back on the winning trail. Chti Balko is on a long losing run but has competed at a much higher level and has been given a chance by the assessor.
Chti Balko (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Chased leader on outside, ridden and weakened quickly before 3 out, last of 11, 23 1/2l behind Zabeel Champion (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Sonning (IRE) 5-4fav (10-7) Held up in last pair, pushed along and headway on inside chasing leaders 3 out, ridden and weakened run-in, 5th of 6, 4 1/4l behind Collingham (10-10) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Fostered Phil (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Close up, chased leaders 3 out, every chance approaching last, quickened to lead flat, ran on, won at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov beating Fearless Fracas (11-0) by 4 1/4l, 10 ran.
Cuban Cigar 7-1 (11-12) In rear, headway 3 out, tracked front rank before 2 out, pushed along before last and chased leader, ridden run-in, no impression, 2nd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Melburnian (11-7) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Evita Du Mesnil (FR) 11-1 (10-5) Rear of mid-division, some headway from 3 out, never on terms, weakened last, 5th of 10, 21 1/4l behind Well Educated (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Smart Lass (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 7 1/2l behind Compliant (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Jackhammer (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Raced keenly tracking leaders, led 1st, headed last, ridden and weakened run-in, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Well Educated (11-6) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Spanish Hustle 14-1 (11-12) Towards rear, slow and not fluent 6th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Ayr 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
