chased leaders, not fluent 4th, led after next, clear 2 out, easily
held up well in rear, steady headway from 6th, went 2nd before mistake 2 out, no chance with winner, weakened into 4th before last
held up, in touch from 5th, went 2nd after 2 out, no impression, stayed on same pace
led, headed after 5th, soon weakened, tailed off 7th
not fluent, tracked leader, mistake 3 out, no impression on winner 2 out, 3rd and one pace after
held up, in touch form 5th, pushed along 3 out, weakened before next
I'm To Blame failed to settle when tried over a longer trip at Newcastle last month and forfeited his unbeaten record. Stamina remains a concern and WHITEOAK FLEUR (NAP) is receiving a stone. Donald McCain’s mare made good late headway when third at Kelso on her hurdles bow and she can get off the mark in this. Barnay is improving with experience and preferred to Hexham maiden winner Manamite of the remainder.
I'm To Blame (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, driven to challenge next, jumped left 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 14 1/2l behind Buster Valentine (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Manamite (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, steady headway on outside before 2 out, challenged approaching last, ridden to lead narrowly flat, just held on, won at Hexham 2m mdn (5) hvy in Dec beating Mountain Hawk (11-0) by hd, 6 ran.
Mance Rayder (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, soon headed, beaten next, 9th of 14, 20l behind Diocese (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Taking Aim (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Keen, tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed before 4 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before next, at Newcastle 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Whiteoak Fleur 33-1 (10-12) In touch in mid-division, not fluent last (usual 3 out), ridden to chase front pair over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not quite pace to get on terms, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Peters Cousin (10-12) at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Barnay 40-1 (11-0) Led until approaching 3 out, rallying when mistake next, weakened last, 4th of 7, 16l behind Flegmatik (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Dec.