always handy, not fluent 2 out, challenged last, clear final 150 yards, stayed on
chased leaders, not fluent 8th or 3 out, soon outpaced, well held from after 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake last, never on terms
not fluent, prominent, reminder 5th, led last, soon headed, lost 2nd and no extra inside final 100 yards
led, jumped slightly right at times, mistake and headed last, no extra and edged right final 100 yards
chased leaders, improved 3 out, not quicken before last, stayed on from last bend, went 2nd inside final 100 yards, no impression on winner
towards rear, several slow jumps, well beaten from 3 out
Big Thunder has shown some ability over hurdles but has twice been well beaten on the Flat since finishing second in a Newcastle bumper. Alfie's Choice has been placed three times and could figure if Keith Dalgleish has managed to rekindle his enthusiasm but the mare Katy Royal looks a safer option. She wasn’t winning out of turn at Hexham and, though flattered by her margin of victory, always seems to run her race. STAY IN TOUCH has won over 3m between the flags so the step up in trip will suit the Sedgefield second and he gets the nod though Western Honour, another winning pointer, looks a danger.
Alfie's Choice (IRE) 11-2 (12-2) Prominent, not jump well, ridden and hung right before 2 out, 5th and weakening last, 5th of 11, 23l behind Itsnonofurbusiness (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Big Thunder 33-1 (9-0) Slowly away in rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms, 12th of 13, 16 1/4l behind Waiting For Richie (8-7) at York 2m hcp (3) gf in May.
Clayton Hall (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Always behind, 7th of 11, 35 1/4l behind Maire Banrigh (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in May.
Stay In Touch (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Hurricane Dylan (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Western Honour (IRE) 15-8 (11-4) Held up in last pair, closer in 4th place 5th, went 3rd on long run after 2 out, no extra last, 4th of 6, 14 1/4l behind Arctic Vodka (11-4) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Mar.
Katy Royal 9-4 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway on inside after 6th, tracked leader after 8th, led 3 out, 1 length advantage when left clear last, driven out, kept on, won at Hexham 2m 7f mdn (5) gd in May beating Peculiar Places (11-2) by 14l, 10 ran.
Sammamish (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off over 4f out, 8th of 12, dist behind Eternally Yours (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (6) sft in Dec.
