held up in last trio, driven after 12th, struggling 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 18th
led until 2nd, prominent, led 14th until 18th, weakened soon after next
chased leaders until outpaced and lost place 16th, rallied approaching 4 out, stayed on to 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair
in touch, headway 14th, 2nd at 16th, chased winner 4 out until just before 3 out, no impression when weakened into 4th 2 out
took keen hold, hed up in rear, headway 18th, stayed on same pace from 3 out
in touch, blundered 2nd, outpaced 18th, no chance when blundered last
jumped right throughout, led 2nd until 14th, prominent until weakened 18th
held up in touch, hit 9th and 11th, plugged on one pace from 3 out
held up in last trio, headway on outside 17th, chased winner approaching 3 out, upsides and every chance last, hung left flat, no extra towards finish
always front rank, hit 2nd, 2nd 14th, led 18th, ridden and joined last, stayed on gamely flat
In the 2010 renewal of the Durham National LEAC AN SCAIL can follow up on his first success over fences although Lucky Nellerie looks a leading light too while Neptune Equester is open to improvement and could feature. A winner over three miles one last time the pick only just got up that day to record his first win over the big stuff. He takes a slight drop in class here and we think that will help him overcome a seven pound penalty. Lucky Nellerie looks a real threat and won this when nine pounds better off last year. He was successful at this track again last time out but the ground might just becoming a little bit quick for him. Neptune Equester was progressive last season and looks sure to improve again now upped in trip for a new stable while Description is on form and could feature if his stamina lasts. A competitive renewal this and the vote narrowly goes to Leac An Scail.
Cerium (FR) 50-1 (10-6) Mid-division, hampered 20th, struggling 24th (canal turn), tailed off 3 out, 11th of 40, well behind Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd.
Mr Pointment (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Towards rear, blundered 5th, blundered and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Leac An Scail (10-7) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd, 10 ran.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, all out, won at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd beating Bay Cherry (11-5) by nk, 10 ran.
Description (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Midnight Chase (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Daldini 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, weakened from after 6 out, 9th of 16, 46l behind From Dawn To Dusk (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f list hcp ch (1) gd.
Quattrocento (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Mistakes, always in rear, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Burren Legend (10-0) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Mar, 14 ran.
Lucky Nellerie (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) With leader, led 2nd, made rest, 2 lengths clear 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure flat, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Mar beating Darina's Boy (10-2) by 4l, 7 ran.
Justwhateverulike (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Held up behind, headway 4 out, chased leading pair 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 12, 13l behind Reel Charmer (10-8) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Neptune Equester 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, jumped slowly 8th, mistake 10th, soon lost place and behind, ridden 4 out, carried left and stayed on well flat to go 3rd near finish, never troubled leading pair, 3rd of 8, 10l behind King Fontaine (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs 0-115 (4) sft.
General Hardi 9-1 (11-1) Prominent, soon mid-division, headway 8th, every chance and hit last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Toulouse Express (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-105) (5yo+) (4) gf.
