Ocarina departed too early to tell how he would have fared in the race won by Schindlers Maze over course and ditance last time, and we will take another who ran there, SEEKING POWER, to score here, while Aitch Doubleyou is an obvious danger. The nine-year-old selection was a soft ground Kelso winner over a similar trip last month before going very close in that follow-up bid from a 6lb higher mark last time. Bottomless ground clearly suits, and with a further rise of just 2lbs he is clearly one to keep on the right side of in what is not a hot contest. Ocarina represents a yard going well enough and was going okay when taking a heavy fall, so he has to prove he is over any mental scars from that experience. If so, then he is generally consistent enough and is respected. Aitch Doubleyou has to lug top weight around and in the heavy ground today, but he handles conditions as evidenced by his staying-on win over 2m 5f at Uttoxeter, for which he has gone up 8lbs. There may still be more to come, but with Polobury likely to fight out the minors as is often the case we'll take Seeking Power to score.
Aitch Doubleyou (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Chased leader until after 10th, slightly outpaced after 12th, rallied 4 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy beating Kinkeel (9-12) by 6l, 6 ran.
Ocarina (FR) 3-1fav (11-8) In touch on inside, disputed 5th when fell 12th, in a race won by Schindlers Maze (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft, 10 ran.
Seeking Power (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up behind, headway 12th, went 2nd when pecked 3 out, driven and 4 lengths down last, ridden and rallied to press winner flat, just held, 2nd of 10, nk behind Schindlers Maze (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft.
Panama At Once 17-2 (11-9) Mid-division, reminders 9th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Schindlers Maze (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft, 10 ran.
Benbeoch 4-1 (11-11) Mid-division on inside, hampered 11th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Quotica De Poyans (11-7) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (5) gs, 13 ran.
Editors Rose (IRE) 5-1 (10-3) Led to 2nd, tracked leader until blundered and unseated rider 13th, in a race won by Lucky Nellerie (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy, 7 ran.
Polobury 4-1 (9-7) Behind, reminder 8th, soon struggling, 6th and last 4 out, plugged on to go moderate 3rd before last, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Lucky Nellerie (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy.
