tracked leaders, 3rd on inside going well before 4 out, one pace and no impression 2 out
tracked leader, jumped left 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly last, held on
held up last, jumped slowly 8th, mistake 12th, some headway when went right and hampered 3 out, soon weakened
jumped left, led, pecked 2 out, narrowly headed last, stayed on
tracked leading pair, hit 2nd, blundered 11th, lost 3rd next, weakened before 4 out
held up in touch in last pair, headway 10th, 3rd at 12th until approaching 4 out, weakened next
CHAIN OF BEACONS was given a fine ride by Callum Bewley to land a better handicap than this at Kelso in November. That was on good ground, as was his victory at Newcastle a year ago, so if the rain stays away he can take advantage. John Williams completed a double when scoring over 2m here in November then pulled too hard on a return visit over an extra mile the following month. Nefyn Bay battled to a short-head victory over the course and distance before reverting to hurdles and winning with a bit in hand on the track last month so he should be in the shake-up. Dimple, unbeaten in three starts between the flags in Ireland, started favourite on his debut for Iain Jardine at Kelso in November but his jumping let him down.
Chain Of Beacons 9-2 (10-7) Held up in touch, headway to track front pair before 4 out, went 2nd after 2 out, challenged last, ridden to lead flat, kept on, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Welcome Ben (10-6) by 1l, 8 ran.
Nefyn Bay 4-1fav (11-12) In rear, headway before 3 out, soon challenged, led 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gs in Feb beating Dutch Canyon (10-0) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Dimple (FR) 6-4fav (10-7) Tracked front pair, lost place and pushed along 11th, weakened quickly after 5 out, behind when pulled up before next, at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
John Williams (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Jumped left, led, headed after 8th, one pace 4 out, no extra 2 out, 4th of 6, 21l behind Rancher Lass (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Amuse Me 11-1 (11-12) Always behind, jumped slowly 7th, tailed off, 7th of 9, 26 3/4l behind Paddling (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Cooper's Friend (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd place, led 11th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Steps And Stairs (12-0) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
