mid-division, headway after 4 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden and hit last, no impression flat
in touch, went 2nd when mistake 7th, lost place after 4 out, 5th and weakening when ran out next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, never troubled leaders
mid-division, outpaced when blundered 4 out, never on terms
held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders next, weakened 2 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, went 2nd after 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden last, stayed on well
mid-division when pulled up lame before 5th
towards rear, kept on under pressure from 3 out, never nearer
chased clear leader to 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders to 4 out, soon beaten
raced keenly, led, clear from 3rd to 3 out, headed when hit 2 out, weakened approaching last
always towards rear, tailed off from 3 out
A wide-open affair may go to Needwood Spirit over the likes of Stamparland Hill, Ostfanni, Nameless Wonder and Ipledgeallegiance. Needwood Spirit and Stamparland Hill are the two oldest in the line-up here, but the former in particular has shown up well of late and and is selected to go one better than at Carlisle 18 days ago. He has not won for three years now, but the way that he stayed on last time suggests that the step up in trip is very much in his favour, and he gets plenty of weight from Stamparland Hill. Malcolm Jefferson's charge found three miles at Catterick too far last time and in contrast to the selection, will benefit from this much less exacting journey. On bits and pieces of form, Ipledgallegiance has a good chance of beating both of them, as he has done in the past, but he gave a somewhat lifeless performance at Sedgefield last time and will need to jump better to figure. Ostfanni was fancied when second at Ludlow but fiddled the final flight and went down narrowly to Lady Of Scarvagh, the pair clear. She had earlier finished third to the useful Roman Ark at Carlisle and is sure to pay her way. She too though has to give plenty of weight to the selection and this track will not bring her stamina into play. Nameless Wonder has more to do than when third in a class F contest here last time, but cannot be ruled out with Tony Dobbin in the plate. It is a tricky one to fathom with so many in with a shout, and only a tentative vote goes the way of Needwood Spirit.
