led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, switched right over 2f out, ridden to challenge and led over 1f out, hung right 1f out, headed and no extra final 100yds
prominent, ridden to challenge and led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, ran on one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden for effort over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, soon struggling
pushed along leaving stalls, raced in mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and went right from over 1f out, stayed on well to lead final 100yds
held up in midfield, pushed along over 2f out, ridden 1f out, faded inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway to challenge over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Fleur Irlandaise bids for a hat-trick of course wins raised a further 5lb while Uncle Bernie is upped in class after scoring over 2m at Lingfield. Hermocrates found one too good for the fifth time in succession over today’s trip at Newcastle and looks worth taking on again with NEBUCHADNEZZAR. The winning hurdler remains unexposed on the Flat and after a recent third at Lingfield, Alan King’s charge may prove the one to side with racing off the same mark.
Hermocrates (FR) 11-4 (9-5) Close up, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, no threat, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Manjaam (9-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Fleur Irlandaise (FR) 6-5fav (9-10) Chased leader until over 8f out, stayed handy, effort to lead 1f out, stayed on, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Flat To The Max (9-12) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Nebuchadnezzar (FR) 2-1jfav (9-11) Tracked leaders, soon led, headed over 7f out, pushed along 3f out, kept on at same pace entering final furlong, lost second close home, 3rd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Figeac (9-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Kozier (GER) 11-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, ridden and kept on from over 1f out, went 3rd final stride, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Zarafshan (9-13) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Stylish Dancer 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders on outside, lost place 3rd, well beaten from 4 out, last of 8, dist behind Burn Baby Byrne (11-11) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
The Rutland Rebel (IRE) 80-1 (9-11) Towards rear, pushed along and outpaced 5f out, ridden over 3f out, headway on inside rail over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, 4th of 13, 11 3/4l behind Lleyton (9-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Star Dreamer 9-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, some headway 2f out, kept on final furlong but no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 8, 7 1/4l behind Systemic (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Uncle Bernie (IRE) 3-1 (9-9) Held up, wide and headway 2f out, led entering final furlong, pushed clear, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Tinsmith (10-0) by 3l, 10 ran.