tracked leader, led 5th, pushed clear before 2 out, kept up to work until eased towards finish
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders after 4 out, well held 5th when hit 3 out, awkward and weakened 2 out
in rear, towards rear and no chance when fell 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner
chased leaders, reminders and lost place after 3rd, mid-division after, weakened 4 out
led until 5th, chased winner until 4 out, weakened quickly, tailed off
held up towards rear, plugged on, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off and pulled up soon after
always towards rear, tailed off 4 out, pulled up soon after
hit 2nd, always towards rear, never on terms
raced keenly, chased leaders on inside, went 2nd 4 out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd before 2 out, awkward 2 out, weakened soon after
mid-division, weakened after 4 out
mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, well held in 3rd when hit 2 out and last
After a debut second at Sedgefield, ASHINGTON (NAP) bolted up ahead of two previous winners at Stratford. Soft ground is a bit of a concern but this is a relatively easy track and John Quinn’s charge looks the one to beat. Illustrissime has already been beaten twice under a penalty and didn’t show much on the Flat on his first run for a new yard. Maulesden May and Royal Shaheen are fellow converts from the Flat with stamina to prove but The Blame Game has placed twice in bumpers. Enlighten has won a bumper but was soon beaten on his hurdles bow having raced keenly.
Ashington 7-2 (10-12) Chased leader, led after 5th, clear after 2 out, comfortably, won at Stratford 2m (4) gs in Oct beating Ferrobin (11-10) by 13l, 14 ran.
Illustrissime (USA) 50-1 (9-7) Held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 28 1/4l behind Bo Samraan (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Abouttimeyoutoldme 66-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, well beaten 3 out, last of 10, dist behind Lucky Flight (11-4) at Kelso 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Astute Boy (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Held up behind, struggling over 3f out, never invovled, 9th of 10, 12 1/2l behind Beechwood Jude (9-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Enlighten 7-2 (11-2) Led, took keen hold, 6 lengths clear after 3rd, headed 3 out, soon lost place, 7th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Playa Blanca (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Mar.
Fourth Of July (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Led, keen, headed 3rd, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Last King Of Wales 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 8th of 10, dist behind Lucky Flight (11-4) at Kelso 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Royal Shaheen (FR) 12-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, never a threat, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 20 1/4l behind Deinonychus (8-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Specialist (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Led, clear after 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, hit next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Cosy Club (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mdn (5) sft in Mar.
Strong Steps 28-1 (10-12) In rear, not fluent 1st, slow next, jumped left 3rd and 5th, tailed off before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Kelso 2m (4) sft in Oct.
The Blame Game (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Held up in last, headway over 3f out, chased leaders well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Lemon T (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (5) gs in Mar.
Zamarkhan (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened last, 6th of 13, 26 3/4l behind Do Not Disturb (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Maulesden May (IRE) 40-1 (9-8) Held up behind, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never pace to challenge, 7th of 10, 8 1/4l behind Beechwood Jude (9-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
