Janal has won twice at Hexham this winter and scored over this C&D a couple of years ago. He went to Newcastle on Thursday for a similar low-grade handicap but was soon beaten behind today's rival TRANSACT, who was wearing cheekpieces for the first time. Martin Todhunter's charge was racing from 3lb out of the handicap but showed real battling qualities under Graham Lee to outstay Sundae Best. His 7lb penalty shouldn't prove a problem against rivals who are either badly out of form or who have never shown any. Tim Easterby has his horses in good form so Donny Briggs could be capable of better and dual Flat winner Nayessence makes his handicap debut from a very lowly mark. Samizdat is on a fair mark if able to recapture early form though he hasn't shown much for some time.
Donny Briggs 5-1 (11-9) Ran in snatches on outside, weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Restart (10-4) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Glad Lion (GER) 33-1 (10-5) Towards rear, some late headway straight, 10th of 18, 19l behind Sole Witness (11-7) at Down Royal 2m cond hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec.
Hazy Oaks 12-1 (11-9) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Zelos Diktator (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Accordingtotheboss (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) In touch in mid-division, mistake 5th, close up when not fluent 3 out, raced awkwardly and weakened before next, last of 10, 24l behind Buckstruther (10-10) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Nayessence 66-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 12th of 15, 36l behind Alazan (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec '09.
Samizdat (FR) 10-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened bebore 3 out, 10th of 14, well behind Smokey George (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl (3yo+) (5) hvy in Dec.
Janal (IRE) 9-1 (10-1) Held up mid-division, pushed along 4th, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 13, 41l behind Transact (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Transact (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Mid-division on inner, hit 2nd, chased leaders before 3rd, ridden before 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft beating Sundae Best (11-12) by nk, 13 ran.
Orpen Bid (IRE) 18-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, lost place 4th, last next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Rawaaj (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft, 9 ran.
Daniel's Dream 66-1 (10-12) Took keen hold towards rear, headway 6th, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Oursininlaw (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
