tracked leaders, lost place 5f out, stayed on again from 2f out, ridden inside final furlong and running on to take 2nd close home
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
towards rear, headway 4f out to go in touch, soon one pace
with leader halfway, ridden 6f out, weakened over 3f out
made all, challenged halfway, quickened clear 4f out, all out towards finish, held on
towards rear, ridden 7f out, stayed on from 2f out, not reach winner
towards rear, closer order halfway, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
whipped round start, towards rear, headway to track leaders 9f out, weakened over 2f out
never a danger
A watch of the market is advised and in the absence of such information, Pharanto is preferred to Quality Control and Kikos. Pharanto was nicely backed ahead of a debut run around here last month and having proven course form, it might be worth chancing him against the raiders from the bigger yards. Quality Control is from a good family and should have gained some encouragement for a first run at Hexham. Kikos, who is a close relation to previous winners, is another sent off at big odds on debut and who should have come on for the run. Boris The Blade is flattered by his third as that came in a dire affair. Ellerslie Ali was given a lot to do on debut and is likely to be ridden much closer to the pace this evening. Pack Drill is watched in the market despite his stable's recent form.Marbury Boy is another to note in the betting. Pharanto looks the pick of these on the racecourse evidence thus far and he is afforded our recommendation.
Boris The Blade 25-1 (10-8) Towards rear, outpaced 6f out, kept on one pace final 3f, 3rd of 14, 26l behind Laborec (10-10) at Hexham 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Kikos (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 12th of 16, well behind American Cricket (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Marbury Boy 9-2 (11-0) Held up, headway 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 7th of 15, 29l behind Dave's Dream (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd.
Pack Drill Zaffaran gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Quintet.
Pharanto (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Prominent, chased winner halfway, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 12l behind Aya (10-2) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gf in Apr.
Quality Control (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, outpaced 6f out, stayed on one pace final 2f, 4th of 14, 24l behind Nodforms Paula (10-10) at Hexham 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Earcomesthedream (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 10f out, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon hung right, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 6l behind The Package (10-12) at Towcester 2m mdn nhf (5) gf in Apr.
Merchant Red (USA) 9-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, chased leaders 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 16, 24l behind Gun Smith (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan.
