made all, soon clear, hampered by loose horse 5 out, not fluent next, driven after last, ridden over 1f out, reduced advantage inside final furlong, held on
disputed 2nd until mistake and unseated rider 2nd
left sole rival behind clear leader (winner) 2nd, not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced, 8 lengths down last, ridden flat, stayed on final furlong, closed on winner towards finish, always held
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Runswick Royal was a useful hurdler and only beaten a short-head on his chasing bow at Kelso. He shouldn't be long in going one better but the mare SULTANA BELLE, another fair sort over timber, was very impressive when winning by more than 30 lengths at Sedgefield and can defy her penalty. Elsafeer went close at Ludlow last month and Swaledale Lad got off the mark at Carlisle at the sixth time of asking, but looks to have more to do here. Captain Brown proved frustrating over hurdles and fell on his only previous try over the larger obstacles.
Swaledale Lad (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Made all, clear before 2 out, kept on well, won at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) sft beating Able Deputy (11-8) by 4l, 6 ran.
Captain Brown 7-2 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed last, kept on and held close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Neville Woods (10-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Runswick Royal (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Held up in rear, outpaced 9th, headway before 2 out, led before last, ridden run-in, kept on and caught post, 2nd of 5, shd behind Master Of The Game (10-12) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd.
Elsafeer (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led to 5th, chased leader, outpaced after 4 out, went poor 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 6, 29l behind Up For An Oscar (11-3) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Sultana Belle (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Held up, closed before 8th, went 2nd next, challenged going well from 2 out, led before last, soon clear, dived through fence, ran on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft beating Up And Go (10-12) by 31l, 6 ran.
