led to 2nd, headed 4 out, in 3rd and weakened before last
with leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace
in rear, headway after 2 out to take 3rd place, one pace and no impression
held up in touch, pushed along and weakened after 2 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders in 3rd place, led before last, kept on strongly
held up behind, weakened from 2 out, tailed off
NonRunner
DESERT ISLAND DUSK now sits on a mark of 115 after gaining his third career success earlier in the month, all achieved at this Northumberland venue.He can boost his tally further now as he appears to be more likely to run his race than most of his opponents who have something of a question mark against them. He does step back up in trip but handled 2m4f well enough when a close second at Perth last summer. Tell The Tale may have more to offer after just five starts over timber but connections reach for first-time cheekpieces to presumably aid concentration. However, Vercingetorix looks a likelier danger despite having been called a few names in the past over hurdles as he scored convincingly on the Flat this month on just a second start for Iain Jardine. He's well handicapped if the handler can elicit a similar level of improvement back over hurdles. Racing Spirit has been in better form of late and could contend, as could Hawkhurst, although the Haslam charge is a tricky customer.
Desert Island Dusk 15-8fav (10-5) Tracked leader, led before 4 out, headed narrowly when left in lead 4 out, kept on well run-in, won at Hexham 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Captain Brown (11-6) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Border Breaker (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd place, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, last of 10, dist behind The Caller (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Hawkhurst (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leader, ridden after 2 out, 2nd and no chance with winner last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 14 1/2l behind Talkofgold (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in May.
Tell The Tale (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Chased clear leading pair, pushed along before 3 out, mistake 3 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 7, 27 1/4l behind Honey Pound (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Vercingetorix (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Pressed leader, led 8f out, headed 4f out, led again 3f out, soon joined, asserted inside final furlong, won at Ayr 1m 7f hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Braes Of Lochalsh (9-7) by 3l, 7 ran.
Native Optimist (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) In rear, headway before 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, soon lost place, 7th of 13, dist behind Kalaharry (10-13) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Racing Spirit 9-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, slightly unsighted when mistake 4th, pushed along briefly, challenged 3 out, ridden and rider dropped whip on bend before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Overtoujay (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
