in rear and in touch until mistake 5 out, soon struggling, tailed off
made all, pushed along before 2 out, soon clear, kept on strongly
towards rear and in touch, weakened before 3 out
tracked winner, ridden 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner
chased leaders in 3rd, beaten from 3 out
SMART TALK, runner-up to Mardale at Hexham, then gained an easy victory at Worcester and the point-to-point winner will be equally at home over this distance so can complete a quick double. Sunny West landed a point-to-point in Ireland and made a very encouraging start over hurdles at Kelso where he just failed to catch Oscar Blue. He looks a staying type and might just get outpaced in this small field. Tickanrun ran his best race here in the spring though like the remaining pair has plenty to find.
Grammar 200-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, outpaced before 2 out, no impression, 7th of 12, 31l behind Vancouverite (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Smart Talk (IRE) 7-2fav (10-10) Led, very long and hind legs scraped through 2nd, soon headed, led again 4th, joined from 2 out, stayed on well to draw clear flat, won at Worcester 2m (4) gs in Oct beating Avispa (10-10) by 6l, 5 ran.
Strait Run (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place before 3rd, behind after 6th, 6th of 8, dist behind Charmix (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (3) sft in Oct.
Sunny West (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in 5th, tracked leading pair before 2 out, challenged between last 2, led narrowly last, ridden and kept on flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Oscar Blue (11-5) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) gd in Oct.
Tickanrun (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders on outer, lost place 4 out, behind from next, 11th of 12, 20 1/4l behind Big River (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct.
