led to 1st, chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace
led from 1st, headed 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leader, led 4 out, mistake 2 out, driven out
held up, stumbled badly 11th, pulled up before next
held up, chased leaders halfway, headway 4 out, kept on from last
held up towards rear, in 4th when mistake 5 out, ridden, headway next, weakened approaching 3 out
in rear when unseated rider 5th
in touch, behind from 8th, weakened next
A competitive enough race and Silent Bay can confirm form with Trisons Star and Hold The Bid. John Wade's charge is a physically imposing specimen and may have found his last race coming a little too soon after two recent starts. He jumps and stays proficiently enough and that could be enough here. Trisons Star has an interesting jockey booking with Timmy Murphy booked. He is arguably better with a bit more cut but is a course-and-distance victor. Hold The Bid has not been missed by the handicapper. Sue Smith's charge has been consistent throughout the season and seems capable of acting on any surface. Low Reactor ran well against weaker opposition but has it to prove these days. Auntie Kathleen has questions to answer on the prevailing going. Predestine is respected as a rare raider from the Kim Bailey stable. Silent Bay is taken to land the spoils.
Silent Bay 13-2 (11-9) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace next, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Crackadee (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Thorsgill 4-1co-fav (11-8) Chased leader, led 3rd, soon headed, led again approaching 11th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Young Smokey (10-3) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Trisons Star (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, ridden and outpaced 3 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 9, 20l behind Crackadee (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Predestine (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Held up, headway after 9th, challenged approaching 12th, led 2 out, mistake last, kept on flat, 2nd of 15, nk behind Phareight Dei (9-7) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Hold The Bid (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up, mistake 6th, outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on approaching next, 4th of 9, 12l behind Crackadee (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Auntie Kathleen 10-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure next, no impression, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Crackadee (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Best China (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 9th before 4 out, soon no extra under pressure, 8th of 22, 41l behind Alberoni (10-1) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 hvy in Jan.
Low Reactor (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) In rear when fell 5 out in race won by Crackadee (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 9 ran.