led, ridden and headed before last, no extra flat
tracked leader, challenged 2 out, kept on until ridden and one pace flat
chased leaders, outpaced between last 2, soon weakened
held up in rear, steady headway between last 2, stayed on to lead towards finish, edged right near finish, held on, (diqualified, placed 2nd)
in touch, driven and headway to lead before last, soon ridden, headed towards finish, not much room and held close home (awarded race)
held up on outside, weakened after 2 out, behind when pulled up before last
in touch, lost place after 2 out, soon weakened
held up, effort on outside after 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened before last
Malcolm Jefferson's OVERBRANCH has been running well in defeat recently and looks ready to score this time ahead of Nevsky Bridge and Solway Sunset while Watch The Wind looks the each-way value. He may be carrying top weight but has been close to returning to winning ways off marks at and around the one he has here. Having won off a rating six pounds higher at about this time last year he looks dangerous in his easiest assignment for some time. Nevsky Bridge took victory in almost identical conditions at Sedgefield in December. He was put up six pounds for that a revision under which he has struggled and a further one pound rise for a decent place last time has dented his chances of victory further. Solway Sunset should be competitive off his mark despite it being six pounds higher than his last win; however the trip looks on the sharp side. Watch The Wind is out of the handicap but a string of consistent performances could mean he is in with a chance of a place off bottom weight but it's with top weight that we side with and Overbranch.
Overbranch 11-1 (10-12) With leader, weakened after last, 4th of 7, 10l behind Fairyland (11-9) at Doncaster 2m mrs hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Mini Minster 25-1 (11-5) Behind, ridden approaching 5th, soon struggling, 14th of 18, well behind Patsy Finnegan (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Just Posh 16-1 (11-3) Tracked winner, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually weakened then blundered last, 5th of 14, 18l behind Don't Stop Me Now (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Solway Sunset 7-1 (10-4) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, in 5th and no impression when blundered and unseated rider 2 out unseated rider 2 out in race won by Nelson du Ronceray (11-9) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Nevsky Bridge 28-1 (11-8) Held up, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders after next, ridden and kept on flat, no impression, 3rd of 20, 8l behind Elite Land (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Zaffarella (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Held up, ridden and some headway approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 11, 17l behind Oscar Trial (10-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Pimbo Lane (IRE) 28-1 (11-6) Held up, chased leaders 6th, weakened approaching last, 5th of 12, 26l behind Zaffarella (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb.
Ethel Briggs 250-1 (10-11) In touch, weakened 4 out, 12th of 14, well behind Minella Theatre (11-4) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Watch The Wind 18-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 3 out, driven, one pace from next, 3rd of 15, 13l behind Janal (10-4) at Catterick 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) gs in Feb.
