held up in touch, steady headway after 4 out, stayed on to lead last, kept on
disputed lead to 7th, chased leader until no extra approaching last
tracked leaders, mistake first, outpaced 7th
towards rear, mistake 8th, soon outpaced, rallied after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat
in touch, pushed along and outpaced after 7th
towards rear, reminder 4th, weakened halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
disputed lead until led 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra flat
mid-division, pushed along 5th, outpaced 7th, rallied 2 out, stayed on to chase winner flat
mid-divsion, outpaced 7th, rallied approaching last, kept on one pace flat
towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before last
Sharpastrizam has the best overall form and is selected over No Kidding and Ambushed, with Sweet Auburn best of the rest. Described as a stuffy horse in the past by his trainer, Sharpastrizam should be all the better for his return at Kelso, having been off a month since scoring at Leicester. As long as the rain stays away, conditions appear ideal for the gelding, who looks well handicapped on form of old. Amazingly, this will be his first visit to Hexham, but he has gone well on similar tracks in the past and is set to run a big race. No Kidding is a course and distance winner and has also won over further here in the past. He has been quite consistent but was tailed off behind Sharpastrizam at Catterick in December and has it to do to turn the tables. Ambushed has not had a great deal of experience over fences but has shown plenty over hurdles and on the Flat in the past. He could give a good account along with Sweet Auburn who is going the right way but is still a maiden. Sharpastrizam really has nothing to fear from any of them though and is the one to beat.
