prominent, pushed along over 4f out, unable to quicken over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out until not clear run inside final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish
in touch in mid-division, ridden over 4f out, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, not able to reach leaders
made most until 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, pushed along 8f out, behind over 4f out
mid-division, headway 5f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch in mid-division, lost place 5f out, rallied 2 out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, just held on
with leader, led 3f out, soon headed and checked slightly, stayed challenging, ran on, just held
tracked leaders, lost place 7f out, soon behind
It was disappointing to see Tricksofthetrade fail to run up to the form of his Catterick success when favourite at Ayr last month but he can't be ignored in this along with other previous winners Sinfield and Opera North. Malcolm Jefferson's mare Grey Danbys could be worth noting for future reference and Kealshore should thrive when tackling longer trips, but Howard Johnson could hold the key to this finale with newcomers Find A Key and VIKING CHIEF. The former cost £21,000 as a foal but the latter is closely related to a raft of useful NH performers and may be the sharper of the pair today. Musselburgh runner-up Shannaggary may prove the pick of the remainder.
Sinfield (IRE) 7-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon hung left, drew clear entering final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Catterick 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Feb beating Valsesia (9-10) by 7l, 11 ran.
Tricksofthetrade (IRE) 4-6fav (11-2) Tracked leading pair, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, soon no impression, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 21l behind Jonny Delta (10-8) at Ayr 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Mar.
Opera North 8-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, ridden before 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, well behind Dark Glacier (11-11) at Newcastle 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Alba King (IRE) Beauchamp King gelding out of Alba Dancer.
My Friend George Alflora gelding out of Snowgirl.
Nahneh (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Arusha Rose.
Shannagarry (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, niggled along halfway, headway to chase leaders over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 5, 13l behind The Tracey Shuffle (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Tekthelot (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders and keen, led 9f out, headed over 7f out, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 15th of 17, well behind Malt Master (10-7) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Find A Key (IRE) Definite Article gelding out of Jims Leader.
Kealshore Alflora gelding out of Top Of The Dee.
No Planning Kayf Tara gelding out of Poor Celt.
Grey Danbys Terimon mare out of Miss Danbys.
Vic's Witch (IRE) Old Vic mare out of Bewitch.
Marlee Mourinho (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) In rear, pushed along before halfway, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 43l behind Dark Glacier (11-9) at Ayr 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Nowurhurlin (IRE) Saddlers' Hall gelding out of Pint Taken.
Viking Chief (IRE) Westerner gelding out of Diamond Sal.
