held up mid-division, ridden before 5f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway before 4f out, weakened over 1f out
led 3f, left in lead before halfway, headed before 3f out, kept on, no extra last 50 yards
held up towards rear, headway before 4f out, weakened before 2f out
tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged and hampered when not much room over 1f out, switched left last 10 yards, kept on, just held close home
with leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened last 100 yards
held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway and 5th over 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up mid-division on inner, in 6th over 1f out, one pace
in touch, quickly weakened over 4f out, soon pulled up
in touch, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon edged left, just held on, driven out
tracked leaders and keen, led after 3f and raced wide, headed before half way, quickly lost place
held up mid-division, weakened over 5f out
held up towards rear, weakened 6f out
The market regularly proves instructive in such contests and that should certainly be the case here with a considerable number of newcomers, of which Zermatt and Royal Sea Breeze take the eye most readily on paper. However, there's also a decent level of form on show, notably from New Academy, a solid third here last time and likely to progress again, and Rene Le Roi, who looked the sort to improve with time when a respectable fifth on debut at Wetherby last month. Clan Gathering may be a little more exposed but the vote is awarded to POWDERONTHEBONNET. Alan Swinbank appears to have reduced his number of bumper horses this term but the yard has enjoyed a fine strike rate in such contests over the years. The stable has been in excellent form of late after a rather quiet period and his charge showed plenty of promise first time up when a decent sixth at Musselburgh in January and is worth chancing here despite a subsequent absence.
Clan Gathering 7-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 6, 11l behind Master Red (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd.
Honourable Gent 20-1 (11-4) Towards rear, took keen hold, headway over 4f out, led over 3f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 13l behind Master Red (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd.
New Academy 16-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Simarthur (10-11) at Hexham 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs.
Northern Warrior Tamure gelding out of Rail Cat.
Powderonthebonnet (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 8l behind Alphabetical Order (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) sft in Jan.
Spanish Fleet 10-1 (11-4) Tracked winner until over 2f out, weakened and lost 3rd place inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 18l behind Cole Harden (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) hvy in Mar.
Timeforarun (IRE) Luso gelding out of Timely Run.
Rene Le Roi (FR) 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, driven over 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, no impression, 5th of 12, 10l behind Silentplan (11-2) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Royal Sea Breeze (IRE) Darsi gelding out of Keen Waters.
Tomahawk Wood Courteous gelding out of Meda's Song.
Venomous Stinger (IRE) Scorpion gelding out of Lady Beth.
Zermatt (IRE) Strategic Prince gelding out of Await.
Flaybay Grape Tree Road mare out of I'll Skin Them.
Pamymour (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Outpaced in mid-division, weakened halfway, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Deputy Dan (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Mar.
Pennine Josie Josr Algarhoud filly out of Pennine Star.
