tracked leaders on inside, driven to chase winner briefly after 2 out (usual 3 out), kept on same pace, no impression with front pair approaching omitted last
held up in touch, ridden to chase leading trio after 2 out (usual 3 out), never on terms, lost modest 4th before omitted last
chased winner virtually throughout, ridden after last (usual 2 out), kept on same pace, always held flat
chased leaders on outside, outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened before last (usual 2 out)
tracked leaders, reminder before 6th, lost place after 2 out (usual 3 out), well beaten before last (usual 2 out), plugged on to take modest 4th before omitted last
held up in touch, struggling 7th, soon ridden and lost touch
held up behind on outside, fell 7th
made all, ridden after last (usual 2 out), stayed on well
Newcastle winner Walser looks vulnerable off a 7lb higher mark while Bennylicious has plenty of weight for what he's achieved and is up in distance. Funky Munky won at Catterick last month but was behind Walser and Persian Herald at Hexham in November. Fly Home Harry may do better now he's qualified for handicaps but TURTLE CASK looks the one to be on as the penny has dropped in his last couple of runs and he's receiving weight all round in this.
Walser (IRE) 7-2fav (10-12) Close up, led last, kept on well, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft beating Pistol (10-12) by 3l, 11 ran.
Bennylicious (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd and ridden before 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Smooth Stepper (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Premier Sagas (FR) 80-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, weakened from 4 out, pulled up, in a race won by Smooth Stepper (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs, 8 ran.
Funky Munky 11-1 (11-1) Mid-division, tracked leaders 5th, challenged 3 out, outpaced next, soon ridden, no impression before last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Snowed In (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Persian Herald 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 6th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 7, well behind Wayward Frolic (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f sell hdl (5) hvy.
Fly Home Harry 9-2 (10-12) Tracked clear pair, ridden 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Spiculas (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov.
Tekthelot (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Mid-division, hampered 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up, in a race won by Beatabout The Bush (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs, 11 ran.
Turtle Cask (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) With leader, led narrowly after 7th, ridden 2 out, headed before last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Freedom Flying (9-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs.
