in touch, went 2nd before 2 out, soon every chance, ridden, kept on flat, just held
behind, soon pushed along, lost touch 4th, tailed off
held up, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 3 out, soon ridden, beaten
mistakes, held up, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders before next, kept on same pace, no impression
in touch, reminders, lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
steadied start, held up in rear, struggling from 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led to 3rd, chased leaders until weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always prominent, led 3 out, hard pressed when not fluent last, ridden, held on flat
Simarian's proven hurdling ability wins him the vote although he does have a penalty to carry and there are a number of interesting opponents. One of those is Thompsons Walls as the McCoy/Haslam combination is one that always commands respect and the gelding held a rating in the eighties on the level; he has to be on the short-list and would be feared if the market were to give out the right vibes. Indeed, the market should be informative in general with Evan Williams running three and Paul Blockley two; the pick of the latter's pair may be Roman Legion on the limited evidence of a handful of runs on the Flat. Tobago Bay was no great shakes on the level but it's a fair old hike from Sheena West's base in Sussex to Sedgefield and she will no doubt be hoping to recoup some of her fuel expenses with one of her runners on this card. Morestead is the only other runner in the field with experience and he was some sixteen lengths adrift of the selection at Hexham. He's entitled to close the gap on the revised terms but it's difficult to envisage him reversing the placings. It's worth noting that one of Pat Haslam's was in second that day so he will have a line on the form but Simarian won his hurdling debut in decent style and may be able to follow up today.
Simarian (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, led approaching last, ridden clear flat, won at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf beating Duke of Touraine (10-12) by 13l, 9 ran.
Arthurian (IRE) 100-1 (8-9) Always well in rear, 8th of 9, 31l behind Savarain (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gd in May (Flat).
Hyper Viper (IRE) 22-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, always behind, 15th of 16, 20l behind Resplendent Light (9-6) at Pontefract 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct (Flat).
Morestead (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway when not fluent 4 out, challenged 2 out, ridden and one pace approaching last, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Simarian (10-12) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf.
Roman Legion (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (9-3) Chased leaders, every chance over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Doon Haymer (9-3) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (5) hvy in Nov (Flat).
Sleeping Dragon 100-1 (9-3) Slowly away, always rear, struggling 4f out, 12th of 14, 27l behind By Command (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Apr (Flat).
Sultan of The Sand 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders stands' side, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 15, 29l behind Hazelrigg (9-0) at Thirsk 6f mdn aut stk (5) gs in Apr (Flat).
Thompsons Walls (IRE) 3-1 (8-12) Made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, won at Hamilton 1m 3yo sll (6) gs in May beating Wiseman's Diamond (8-7) by 2l, 6 ran (Flat).
Timewatch 14-1 (8-8) Tracked winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 11, 9l behind Tayarat (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sept (Flat).
Tobago Bay 16-1 (8-5) Tracked leader until over 4f out, remained close up, ridden when slightly hampered approaching 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 9, 11l behind Warming Up (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Mar (Flat).
Irish Artist (FR) 5-2 (8-4) In touch, headway to lead well over 1f out, soon ridden, all out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Mar beating Brave Hawk (8-9) by a hd, 8 ran (Flat).
Opening Hand 16-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, pushed along over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, weakening when edged left well over 1f out, soon edged right, 10th of 13, 13l behind Redarsene (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol (Flat).
