mid-division, weakened from 7th
in touch, went 2nd 3 out, led last, driven out
led, headed last, soon ridden, weakened on bend approaching flat
towards rear, weakened approaching 4 out
held up, quickly weakened approaching 4 up, pulled up before next
chased leader to 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 7th, ridden after last, kept on
always behind
chased leaders, ridden last when chased winner on bend approaching flat, kept on
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
held up, headway 4 out, kept on from next
always behind
Barney, Red Sun, Fly Kicker and Kalic d'Alm are a handful against the field in another competitive handicap and the nomination is given to Barney. The selection unshipped his rider early on last time out but prior to that he had been a fair second behind Chuckchi Country. That horse has since run well under his penalty and off what remains a fair mark he looks the one to be on. Red Sun rates the main danger on his best form but he disappointed for no apparent reason last time out. However, his yard are back among the winners and he could go well as he has run well fresh in the past. Fly Kicker is another that could go well as he looks well weighted on his best hurdle form. However, he is often let down by his jumping and with this in mind he is opposed. Kalic d'Alm is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but is hard to win with. Of the remainder, Hiddenfortune could improve for the fitting of first time cheekpecies but for the winner we return to Barney who looks a value bet in an open affair.
Gabor 9-1 (10-10) Prominent, pushed along and lost place after 6th, no danger after, last of 7, well behind Kadount (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Fly Kicker 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, effort 4 out, ridden next, outpaced 2 out, 6th of 11, 10l behind Rayshan (10-11) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) gd in Apr.
Kalic d'Alm (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Mid-division, jumped right 8th, effort when blundered 3 out, 7th of 15, 46l behind Ballynure (10-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Hiddenfortune (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Close up until outpaced approaching 2 out, 5th of 11, 23l behind Delaware Trail (10-0) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Barney (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (10-6) Led until blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Gunson Hight (9-10) at Hexham 2m cnd hcp chs (5) gs, 9 ran.
Find The Way (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Jumped right, held up, ridden 9th, soon struggling, 10th of 14, well behind Presenting Alf (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) gf in Apr.
Hollows Mist 20-1 (10-2) Towards rear, some headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden approaching last and one pace flat, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Gunson Hight (9-10) at Hexham 2m cnd hcp chs (5) gs.
Red Sun 11-1 (11-6) Not fluent, close up, disputed lead 5th to 9th, behind when blundered 11th, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Manoubi (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
