In a competitive race to finish proceedings the selection narrowly goes to last time out winner LONGDALE with Lawaaheb and Bamby also in with strong claims. The selection is up nine pounds for that last success and although in his recent career he has failed to win off marks in the mid 90s he has got his head in front off this current rating in the past. This seems to be his favourite track and he should be well suited by the further, if not only slight, step up in trip. Lawaaheb returns after a 222 day break but was consistent enough before that to feature. His mark seems about right and if he's fit and sharp then he should at least grab some prize money. Bamby is another returning after a long break and her last run, which followed a win in testing conditions a Hexham, suggested that something might have gone a miss. She's seven pounds higher than her last victory but despite being nine-years-old is still unexposed and could find the necessary improvement to overcome that. Harrison's Star's last run as almost too bad to be true and any return to form for him will get him in the picture while Polobury looks like an animal running into form off a still competitive rating. All in all very close with the verdict, marginally, belonging to Longdale.
Presque Perdre 20-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, weakened 2 out, mistake last, last of 7, 23l behind Boris The Blade (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
Lawaaheb (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, effort after 4 out, outpaced next, ridden and kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Lord On The Run (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Michaels Dream (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Tracked leader, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Twelve Paces (9-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Karlani (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Admiral Savannah (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Longdale 11-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on to lead approaching last and driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec beating Dark Gentleman (11-7) by 2l, 14 ran.
Polobury 4-1jt-fav (10-0) In rear, outpaced after 5th and pushed along, headway from 3 out, every chance flat, just held near finish, 2nd of 10, hd behind Soul Angel (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Bamby (IRE) 11-4fav (10-6) Took keen hold, tracked leader 2nd to 4th, on left and weakened approaching 2 out where mistake, 7th of 8, 42l behind Earlsfield Raider (10-11) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Apr.
Harrison's Star 16-1 (10-12) Held up, reminders 5th, never trouble leaders, 11th of 14, 35l behind Admiral Savannah (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Colditz (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) 12th of 13, well behind Nelliedonethat (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Stoneriggs Silver 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened 3 out, 15th of 16, well behind Snow's Ride (11-7) at Kelso 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct '07. Later dsq to last.
Exit Forty Four (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up, always in rear, 12th of 18, 27l behind Run Forest Run (10-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Youluckyman (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division when unseated rider 4 out in race won by Quay Meadow (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Panama At Once 22-1 (11-3) Mid-division, blundered badly 11th, saddle slipped, pulling up when unseated rider at the 11th in race won by Smart Thinker (9-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Zaffarella (IRE) 4-1fav (9-13) Not fluent early, behind, headway 3 out, kept on from next, never nearer, 4th of 13, 11l behind Well Disguised (10-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.