tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out
held up mid-division, lost place from 6 out, weakened from 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
led, headed before 5 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway before 6 out, went 4th from 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led before 5 out, headed 2 out, kept on to regain lead towards finish
in rear, headway before 5 out, led 2 out, ridden and mistake last, soon headed, kept on run-in
held up towards rear, lost place before 4 out
held up mid-division, took keen hold, headway before 6 out, blundered 4 out, led after last, kept on and headed towards finish
LOUGH SALT (NAP) was always travelling nicely when successful over the course and distance last month and, though 10lb higher, still looks better than a 115-rated handicapper and can go on to bigger things. Tuscan Gold was beaten 14 lengths into third though had been impeded earlier and can get closer on the revised terms but Rocklim was being ridden along when falling three out and looks held. Native Optimist won this last year and has only had two subsequent starts, pulling up at Hexham on his reappearance, but he's expected to do better here. Rowdy Rocher hasn't had much experience for his age but has won over fences here and could go well at a fair price.
Alpha Victor (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) In touch, lost place 9th, behind next, struggling 13th, tailed off 14th, soon pulled up, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Native Optimist (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Held up, towards rear, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Rowdy Rocher (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon chased leaders, went 2nd after next, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression with winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind One For Hocky (11-7) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Lough Salt (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Held up, towards rear, headway after 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Carry On Sydney (11-5) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.
Presence Felt (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Jumped left and not fluent, prominent, mistake and lost place 6th, ridden and losing further ground from next, well beaten from 13th, 6th of 11, 27 1/4l behind Forever My Friend (12-3) at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Rocklim (FR) 5-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, in 3rd, pushed along and looking one pace when fell 3 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Tuscan Gold 20-1 (10-9) Held up, towards rear, pushed along before and hampered 3 out, headway 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 13 3/4l behind Lough Salt (10-11) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Brian Boranha (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Close up, ridden before last, kept on, 4th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Theatrebar (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
