in touch, mistake 5th, soon lost place
mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway 3 out, stayed on into 3rd closing stages, never a threat
chased leaders, led 4th, joined next, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 5 out, mistake next, weakened 3 out, tailed off
led until 1st, hit next, remained prominent, mistake 4 out and led soon after, headed before next, rallied last, no extra flat
behind, headway 3 out, soon ridden and no impresion
behind, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, every chance 3 out, kept on under pressure
mid-division, headway 6 out, chased leaders next, led after 4 out, headed next, weakened last
in touch, headway 6 out, chased leaders after next, led 3 out, awkward next, mistake last, ridden out
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, headway 3 out, never nearer
prominent, led 1st, hit 2nd, headed 4th, chased leaders, weakened after 4 out
mid-division, mistake 6th, soon outpaced, never dangerous
in rear when fell 6th
chased leaders, lost place before 3 out
Seapoint was well backed at Market Rasen last month but never looked like catching the first two. He had earlier finished behind Vintage Glen, though ahead of The Sting, at Wetherby. STARPLEX’ only previous hurdles victory came over this track and trip and he’s been knocking on the door again lately. Only raised a pound since his latest second at Sedgefield, when well ahead of Perseid, he looks the one to beat in a modest opener. McCrackens Gate made a promising start for Justin Landy when third at Hexham but blinkers would need to spark a revival in Hot Gossip and The Pine Martin has been off the track since June 2017.
McCrackens Gate (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Close up, ridden and headway omitted 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 9 1/2l behind Casimir Du Clos (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Geordielandgangsta 50-1 (11-4) Always in rear, weakened 3 out, last of 8, 20 3/4l behind Erik The Red (11-4) at Kelso 2m (4) gd in Jan.
The Sting (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, mistake 3rd, no chance when mistake 3 out, never a factor, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind No Trumps (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
The Pine Martin (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway to chase winner before 2 out and mistake, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Morning Time (10-0) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Honourmission (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Behind most of way, pulled up before 12th, at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Vintage Glen (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Held up in last pair, never on terms, 6th of 11, 32l behind No Trumps (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Seapoint (IRE) 6-4fav (10-10) Held up in touch in last pair, took closer order 7th, driven to chase front pair after 3 out, every chance briefly before next, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on again flat, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Incertaine (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Innis Shannon (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) In rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Starplex 11-10fav (10-8) In touch, went 2nd from 3 out, challenged before last, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Excalibur (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Meldrum Way (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon lost place, 7th of 10, dist behind Methag (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Epsom Des Mottes (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Prominent, every chance 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 11, 27 1/2l behind Metro Boulot Dodo (12-2) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Hot Gossip (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, slow 4th and 5th, headway 3 out, never nearer, 4th of 9, 30l behind Calivigny (11-12) at Ayr 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Modulus 33-1 (10-6) Soon well behind and never going, pulled up before 5th, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Mar.
Perseid (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Mid-division, in 7th before 2 out, no impression, 6th of 14, 21l behind Excalibur (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
