led narrowly to 11th, soon lost place, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
mistake and lost place 1st, not jump well after, soon lost touch, pulled up before 5th
tracked leaders, led narrowly 11th to next, in touch, pecked and reminder after 5 out, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
prominent, lost place 3 out, weakened before last, tailed off
mid-division, chased leaders when blundered 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened before 2 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, close up 12th, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead before last, hard pressed flat, headed and no extra final 110 yards
in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on to lead narrowly final 110 yards, headed final strides
in touch on outside, driven 5 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
with leaders, led 12th, headed before last, soon ridden, weakened flat
mid-division, lost place and towards rear 6th, headway under pressure on outside before 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden after last, stayed on to challenge and every chance final 110 yards, held near finish
behind, struggling 5 out, headway under pressure 3 out, chased leaders last, kept on same pace flat, no impression
tracked leaders, outpaced and ridden 4 out, 6th and plenty to do 2 out, rallied flat, finshed well to lead final strides
Veteran Esme Rides A Gaine was a well-beaten fourth in this last year racing off the same mark. Dingo Bay fell 12 months ago but has won over track and trip since, though is now 8lb higher. Lady Of Verona is another course and distance winner but Willie Hall is more interesting. He won here over hurdles last time and is lightly raced over the larger obstacles. Paul Stafford's West Ship Master was third in a novices' handicap here 12 days ago but has now had 22 runs over fences without managing to get his head in front. APACHE PILOT (NAP) won in a higher grade at Newcastle earlier this month and also ran well on his only previous start around here. He might be progressing so gets the nod ahead of Towcester scorer Nalim.
Baltic Pathfinder (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Led to 5th, weakened before 8th, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Houndscourt (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Feb.
Lady Of Verona (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake and lost place 5th, bumped next, headway 12th, no extra 3 out, 6th of 9, 25l behind Basford Ben (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft.
Dingo Bay 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, pushed along before 9th, weakened from 11th, 5th of 8, well behind Present Lodger (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb.
Strike Fast (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) Led until 2nd, in touch, pushed along 4th, ridden 12th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, 30l behind Jupiter Rex (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Willie Hall 25-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 7th, led last, pressed run-in, just held on post, won at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs beating Purple Harry (10-9) by ns, 17 ran.
Apache Pilot 9-1 (10-0) In rear, headway before 7 out, ridden before 4 out, led before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Newcastle 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft beating What A Dream (9-8) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
West Ship Master (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway before 11th, kept on run-in, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Cross To Boston (10-4) at Hexham 3m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gs.
Champagne Agent (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, mistake 10th, soon struggling, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Whiskey Chaser (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 5f 5yo nov hcp (4) sft, 13 ran.
Senor Alco (FR) 7-1 (10-4) In touch, weakened before 4 out, 7th of 9, well behind Cross To Boston (10-4) at Hexham 3m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gs.
Nalim (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) Held up in last pair, mistake 7th, good headway tracking leaders 8th, pushed along after 9th, rallied on outside into 2nd approaching 2 out, upsides 2 out, ridden to lead between last two, stayed on well and came clear run-in, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd beating Jolly Boys Outing (10-9) by 5l, 8 ran.
Esme Rides A Gaine 5-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, slow 1st, led 2nd, headed 4th, weakened after 12th, soon tailed off, 4th of 6, 27l behind Twice Lucky (10-7) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in May.
Flaming Thistle (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Towards rear, headway 5 out, chased winner before last, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Gibbstown (11-5) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs.
