led 1st, mistake 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, hung left and weakened flat
led to 1st, chased leader until approaching 5th, mistake 8th, hit 10th, soon weakened
always prominent, chased leader approaching 5th, hit 8th, led 2 out, ridden clear flat
held up in rear, reminders after 3rd, headway 5th, more reminders after next, stumbled 8th, soon weakened and tailed off before pulled up 3 out
held up, well behind 9th, stayed on approaching last, nearest finish
held up in rear, jumped right 1st, no chance from 9th, blundered 2 out
in touch, ridden after 9th, weakened after 3 out
in touch, hanging right before 3rd, reminders after 5th, soon lost place, weakened 8th
keen early, held up, well behind 9th, stayed on approaching last, took 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
SUNNY BROOK won with plenty in hand when successful on his reappearance on heavy ground at Hexham three weeks ago and Sue Smith's gelding is taken to defy the 8lb rise for that success, getting the verdict ahead of Flemen Moon and Yours Forever. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding is less exposed than his rivals after just four runs so far, makes his chasing debut off a light weight and he has to be considered despite being 4lbs out of the weights proper but lack of chasing experience is of concern and he may be best watched. Pukka Tique has given little cause for optimism of late, while Jennie Candlish's Tomillielou could probably do with some help from the handicapper. Lazy But Lively could be of interest if fit for his reappearance but a bigger threat is likely to come from Flemen Moon, who is relatively unexposed and looked to be going the right way when last seen. In a moderate race it is Sunny Brook that gets the vote.
Sunny Brook 20-1 (10-13) Prominent, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on strongly to lead again flat, won at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy beating Reckless Venture (10-13) by 5l, 7 ran.
Tomillielou 3-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, weakened 14th, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Mistress Nell (10-7) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Major Catch (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Prominent, mistake 7th, reminder after next, weakened approaching 11th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Najca De Thaix (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Pukka Tique 14-1 (11-2) Led to 13th, soon ridden, weakened after 15th, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Lough Rynn (10-4) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Lazy But Lively (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 9th, 7th of 15, 47l behind Jackella (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in May.
Hazeam 250-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, jumped right 3rd, no chance from 8th, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Tisfreetdream (10-11) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Flemen Loon (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Chased winner from 7th, ridden, effort 2 out, lost 2nd last, no extra, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Hall of Flame (10-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Apr.
Major Belle (FR) 16-1 (9-12) Held up, ridden 10th, weakened 12th, behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by College Ace (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs, 9 ran.
Smart Thinker 9-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Moustique de L'Isle (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft, 7 ran.
Yours Forever (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Held up mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on, no chance with leading pair, 4th of 15, 39l behind Colonial Jim (9-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
