Winning point-to-pointer Charming Knight has never won under Rules and was beaten a long way at Hexham last time from this mark. The lightly-raced SHOAL BAY DREAMER made his handicap debut with a fine run over this trip at Carlisle before falling when fading over a longer distance at Sedgefield. The handicapper has been harsh raising him 7lb but this is a poor contest and he can get off the mark. Stormion has shown the occasional promise but probably needs further while Sydney Cove's one success in 25 starts came over 2m1f and he hasn't shown he stays this far.
Its Tough (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Held up in rear, pushed along after 7th, never a factor, 7th of 12, 42l behind Coastley (10-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr '10.
Arc Warrior (FR) 80-1 (11-6) With leader, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Dusky Bob (11-6) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Harry Handsome 50-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 12, well behind Malt Master (11-0) at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) gs in Nov.
Man Of Principles (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Led, ridden and headed after 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 47l behind Ruff Diamond (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Charming Knight (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) Held up in last pair, headway to chase clear and easy winner after 7th, outpaced on long run between last 2, no chance with winner, lost poor 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 27l behind Soudain (11-0) at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Shoal Bay Dreamer 9-2 (10-8) Led on inner, joined 3rd, headed 6th, chased leader, weakening when fell 3 out, in a race won by Sundown Trail (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl (3yo+) (5) gs in Dec, 8 ran.
Daniel's Dream 100-1 (9-7) Mid-division, lost place 3rd, soon struggling, no danger after, 7th of 13, 37l behind King's Chorister (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Sydney Cove (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Mid-division, lost place 5th, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 13, 37l behind King's Chorister (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
See The Legend 8-1 (10-6) In rear, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Winged Farasi (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
Stormion (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) In touch on outside, lost place 5th, soon pushed along, ridden 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 29l behind Super Ally (11-7) at Kelso 3m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
