led, headed 3 out, weakened from next
held up towards rear, outpaced from 3 out, ridden and headway 2 out, kept on from last, went 2nd towards finish
with leader, weakened from 3 out
chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, ridden 2 out, well held in 4th when blundered last
tracked leaders, led 3 out, blundered last, kept on
tracked leaders, chased winner from before 2 out, lost 2nd place towards finish
always towards rear
held up towards rear, tailed off from 3 out
towards rear, fell 1st
behind, headway after 2 out, one pace and never dangerous
Soft going may have been to blame for Samtu's moderate showing at Sedgefield last time but this looks on the sharp side. Swaledale Lad will be back over fences soon while Hartside is better on easier ground and didn't run very well on the Flat at Catterick earlier this month. Beatu and MERE ANARCHY are both recent winners and likely to be prominent again. Robert Stephens' charge only won by a short-head at Chepstow but is still learning his trade and he's capable of better with Ciaran Gethings' claim in his favour. Windy Writer is also improving and can challenge the places.
Swaledale Lad (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Led until 3 out, chased leader and still every chance 2 out, weakened soon after, last of 4, 26 1/2l behind Nuts Well (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Hartside (GER) 11-2 (9-6) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 18 1/4l behind Mirsaale (9-8) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp (5) sft in Apr.
Chieftain's Choice (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 17, dist behind Ivan Grozny (11-12) at Aintree 2m hcp (2) sft in Apr.
Mere Anarchy (IRE) 6-4fav (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway to track leaders 3rd, led next, mistake 4 out, soon strongly challenged, all out, just held on, won at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Apr beating Bennys King (10-13) by shd, 8 ran.
Samtu (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 31l behind General Mahler (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Beatu (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased clear leaders, closed to lead and mistake 3 out, strongly pressed in closing stages, held on gamely, all out, won at Haydock 2m hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Back By Midnight (11-9) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Windy Writer (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Mid-division, chased leaders before 2 out, left disputing 3rd at last, ridden and kept on flat, just failed for 2nd, no impression with winner, 3rd of 13, 3 3/4l behind Man From Seville (11-2) at Southwell 2m (4) gs in Feb.
Smart Money (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 10th, in touch from 12th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Copper Birch (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Tom Wade (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, ridden before last, weakened run-in, 6th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Edmaaj (10-12) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Dun Scaith (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 10, 13 1/4l behind Hill Fort (11-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) sft in Apr.
