took keen hold, tracked leading pair, left in close 2nd 4th, led after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed and hit 2 out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd approaching the last, weakened badly run-in, just held on for 3rd
led, bumped 3rd, pushed along and headed after 3 out, lost 2nd before next, rallied into 2nd again approaching the last, no chance with winner
tracked leader, went left 3rd, fell next
held up in 4th place, left in 3rd place 4th, pushed along and closed before 2 out, led 2 out, soon clear, went left and hit last, ridden out
held up last, left in 4th place 4th, not fluent next, hit 3 out and outpaced, went left 2 out, plugged on run-in and nearly snatched 3rd but never any chance with leading duo
Raise A Spark scored at Catterick before tackling much better company at Newcastle. He returned to winning ways in a conditionals' event at Carlisle last week and carries no penalty here so will take some beating. However, DARK AND DANGEROUS has won the last four times he's visited this track including a facile victory last week so an extra 7lb shouldn't be enough to prevent another success. Navan-based handler Gavin Cromwell places his horses very well so the presence of Highland Fling, who has been well beaten at big prices in Ireland, is intriguing and any market moves should certainly be noted. Brave Spartacus has an excellent strike-rate over jumps and won a better race here last April from just 1lb lower though he's changed stables having had just three subsequent runs. Arabian Oasis, a winner on the all-weather, has yet to show much over timber.
Raise A Spark 85-40 (11-11) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led 5th, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating Morning Royalty (12-0) by 8l, 4 ran.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 25-1 (12-3) Led and soon clear until 4th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 28l behind Tomkevi (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Dark And Dangerous (IRE) 10-3 (12-1) Made all, ridden after last, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Mar beating Mash Potato (10-10) by 16l, 6 ran.
Highland Fling (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Held up, 11th approaching 3rd, progress from halfway, tracking leaders when not fluent 3 out, no extra from before next, 10th of 12, dist behind Charlie Stout (10-9) at Naas 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Arabian Oasis 18-1 (11-12) In rear, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 12, 33l behind Monfass (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
