led, pressed before 2 out, hit 2 out and headed, soon pushed along, mistake last when beaten, weakened run-in
raced in close 2nd, hit 6th, pushed along before 2 out, led 2 out, pressed last, ridden and headed run-in, no extra towards finish
held up behind leaders, shaken up in 3rd before 2 out, ridden and switched right after 2 out, pressed leader final flight, led run-in and asserted towards finish
Marble Sands complicates matters as he has every chance on a recent second at Lingfield but was due to run at Newcastle yesterday. REILLY is preferred having shown a big improvement on his reappearance and hurdling bow at Exeter when finishing clear of the rest in second. Surrey Quest ran well in a bumper at Warwick back in May and is fitted with a tongue-tie for his hurdling debut having also had a wind operation while Pitch It Up should improve for last month’s comeback run.
Pitch It Up 40-1 (11-4) Led, stumbled 4th, headed narrowly 3 out, when bad mistake and lost all chance, 12th of 14, dist behind Mr Glass (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Reilly (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) In touch in mid-division, headway after 5th, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner, kept on, 2nd of 15, 5 1/2l behind Brief Times (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) gs in Nov.
Surrey Quest (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Held up in rear on outside, headway 5f out, chased winner over 1f out, soon green and edged left, held but stayed on, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Russian Ruler (10-12) at Warwick 2m mdn (5) gs in May.
Marble Sands (FR) 3-1jfav (10-12) Held up towards rear in touch, pushed along in 4th after 2 out, hit last, ridden and edged left run-in, ran on well to take 2nd on flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Milan Bridge (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f (3) gs in Nov.
