in touch, effort over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, no impression
chased leader, led over 3f out to over 2f out, soon driven and one pace
in touch, lost place over 6f out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, headway on outside to challenge over 3f out, led over 2f out, driven and jinked right inside final furlong, kept on
led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression
held up mid-division, headway over 6f out, challenged over 2f out, every chance until ridden and one pace approaching final furlong
chased leaders, outpaced 7f out, soon lost place, tailed off
always behind, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up 6f out
mid-division, headway 7f out, outpaced over 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, lost place after 6f, soon behind, no danger after
behind, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up over 6f out
Briarhill Lad, Northern Blaze, Or d'Oudairies and Lockstown form the shortlist in this bumper to close the card and the vote goes to Northern Blaze. The selection hails from a yard with a good strike-rate in these type of events and he went close last time when chasing home Joseph at Hexham. He has yet to race on ground as testing as this, but if he handles it then he should prove tough to beat. Briarhill Lad certainly looks the part on breeding and anything Len Lungo sends to post here is worth a look in the market. If he handles this testing ground then he can also go well. Similar comments would apply to Lockstown, while Or d'Oudairies will relish these ground conditions and he certainly has the form to get competitive today. This is a tricky race for punters to call, but Northern Blaze has plenty in his favour and he gets the vote.
Briarhill Lad (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding, half-brother to several winning jumpers.
Lockstown Exit To Nowhere gelding out of an unraced mare.
Mariners Way 200-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace, 7th of 15, 30l behind Poseidon (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gs in Jan.
Northern Blaze 7-1 (11-1) In touch, went 2nd over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead towards finish, headed post, 2nd of 13, hd behind Joseph (11-4) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Or d'Oudairies (FR) 15-8fav (11-2) Chased leader, every chance 3f out until one pace approaching 2f out, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Bakbenscher (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Pete Overbury gelding out of the prolific flat and jumps winner Fen Terrier.
To The Wind Silver Patriarch gelding out of 5f-1m winner Caution.
Coniston Cotation mare out of an unraced mare.
Hazy Oaks 33-1 (10-11) Chased leaders until weakened over 5f out, 5th of 12, 25l behind Brackenmoss (10-13) at Newcastle 2m mrs nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Roll of Drums 150-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 18l behind It's A Discovery (10-12) at Hexham 2m mrs nhf (5) gf in Nov.
Saving Oliver Courteous gelding out of winning jumper We're In The Money.
