It won't be easy shouldering top weight here but nonetheless we will just give the vote to DELIGHTFULLY, while Sharadiyn and Solway Blue are among others under consideration. Lucinda Russell has her string in decent form at present and the selection went well behind Diavoleria at Ayr last time out over a similar trip. She acts well with cut in the ground, and has won on heavy, and despite this trip being as short as she would like, Peter Buchanan will know that he can make full use of her stamina as the race unfolds. Sharadiyn has gone up 10lbs for finishing runner-up in a poor race over this sort of trip at Sedgefield last time. However, the front two were almost a distance clear that day, so it may be that he has got off lightly, and only the race itself can shed further light on that, though he does have it to prove on ground as slow as this. Solway Blue remains on the same mark as when third of nine to Samizdat at Carlisle, his first decent form for some time. He tends to go better on a sound surface, but does at least handle soft ground and on balance we will take him on. Hot 'N' Holy may catch the eye due to the booking of Denis O'Regan, and he did at least show a bit more spark here last time on soft going, but it has been a long time between drinks for him and it will be a bit of a surprise if he is good enough to score today. Miss Tarantella relishes deep ground and finished runner-up from a mark 5lbs lower than today's at Hexham a couple of weeks back, so she looks worth a market check, but preference is for Delightfully.
Delightfully (FR) 18-1 (11-4) In rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Diavoleria (11-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Top It All 9-2 (10-6) In rear, hit 2nd, soon pushed along and detached, never a factor, 8th of 13, 43l behind Mister Marker (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs.
Sharadiyn 40-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led after 3rd, joined and went badly left 2 out, narrowly headed when went left and bumped last, rallied towards finish, always just held, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Barron Watlass (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Hot 'n' Holy 12-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 5th, 3rd approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 13l behind Mister Pete (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Lukey Luke 66-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, blundered 1st, ridden and hit 2 out when weakening, 6th of 11, 29l behind Mister Pete (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Solway Blue 16-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, 4th when hit next, soon ridden, rallied flat, switched right and ran on well towards finish, just failed, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Samizdat (10-8) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Miss Tarantella 15-2 (10-13) In touch, led 4 out, headed approaching last, soon weakened, 6th of 15, 11l behind Old Noddy (11-2) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Patrixtoo (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Always in rear, 7th of 10, 24l behind Muntami (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Braden Brook (IRE) 40-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 19l behind Shadrack (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
