mid-division, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, no impression
chased leaders until weakened 4 out
held up, headway 4 out, weakened next
close up, led 4 out, headed 2 out, every chance when hampered last, kept on
held up, headway to go prominent before 3 out, no impression
held up, headway 7th, mistake next, chased leader approaching 3 out, led 2 out, jumped right and headed last, rallied to regain lead towards finish
mid-division, weakened 4 out
chased leaders until approaching 4 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders to 4 out
held up, headway to go prominent 4 out, ridden to lead last, edged left and headed towards finish
always behind
led to 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
The Last Viking is lightly raced and, if improving again for his latest effort when chasing home Rothbury at Aintree, may be able to open his account on ground that should suit, with the main dangers looking likely to be Another Superman and Named At Dinner. The last mentioned still looks to be on a fair mark judged by the pick of his form and the testing conditions will help to bring his undoubted stamina into play; he has to be respected. Verstone is capable but may be better on a faster surface and of more interest may be top weight Hush Tiger, who was good value for his win at Kelso last time but an 8lb rise for that success leaves him with more to do. Glen Harley has yet to prove that he handles ground this testing and of more interest may be recent Perth winner Another Superman, who should appreciate the cut in the ground but is creeping up the weights. The Last Viking looks to be going the right way now though and he is preferred.
Hush Tiger 12-1 (9-10) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, rallied and stayed on well to lead run-in, won at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs beating Nerone (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Jeringa 14-1 (11-12) Always behind, reminders halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Rothbury (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Oct, 12 ran.
Another Superman (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) Held up, headway 4 out, led before 2 out, clear last, driven out, won at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Sept beating Baileys Best (11-1) by 12l, 9 ran.
Witch Wind 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 8th, weakened from next, 6th of 14, 47l behind The Whisperer (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Glen Harley (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway to lead 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating True Temper (10-12) by 3l, 10 ran.
The Last Viking 22-1 (10-11) In touch on outside, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd last, no impression, 2nd of 20, 4l behind Rothbury (11-8) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gd.
Endless Power (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened from 5th pulled up 3 out in race won by More Likely (10-4) at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar, 17 ran.
Bromley Abbey 25-1 (11-1) With leader, lost place 3 out, no impression when mistake next, 11th of 16, 39l behind Andrea Gale (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gs.
Verstone (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 3 out, effort next, kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 8l behind Andrea Gale (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gs.
Dalawan 50-1 (10-13) In touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied next, no extra flat, 5th of 18, 9l behind Red Scally (11-8) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Oct.
Sea Laughter (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until outpaced approaching 2 out, 4th of 5, 24l behind Pikestaff (10-12) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf in May '05.
Named At Dinner 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, outpaced 9th, rallied approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 19, 26l behind Negus de Beaumont (11-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Justwhateverulike (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Dolans Bay (10-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
