held up in touch, smooth headway when mistake 3 out, led between last 2, ridden and kept on well flat
held up in rear, headway 4 out, outpaced when not fluent next, soon weakened
tracked leader, pushed along approaching 3 out, every chance when blundered next, soon ridden and hung left, kept on, lost 2nd near finish
held up, driven and outpaced 4 out, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well under pressure to take 2nd towards finish, not reach winner
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced when hit 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, lost place 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
led, ridden 3 out, headed after next, 4 lengths 4th and held when fell last
held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, left 4th last, no impression
Seymar Lad is in great heart and can get the better of the frustrating You Do The Math, who should not be far away again in his bid to end his frustrating run of near misses, while Euro American and Chef De Cour are also expected to go well. Chef De Cour has been profitable to follow over hurdles and is consistent enough to recommend for each-way backers to consider. He should appreciate the ground and rates a good value option at the likely odds. Euro American is sure to be popular after his recent run of good form and has to be high on the shortlist. However, he was held off a 4lb lower mark at Market Rasen eight days ago and now has something to prove. Even so, the slight drop in trip is in his favour though and many will see him as a saver option again today. That scenario will help boost the price of some of the others. With You Do The Math being another that shouldn't be underestimated; even though he has been frustrating to side with of late. The six-year-old is holding his form well at present and has plenty of scope from his current mark. Watch the betting carefully where he is concerned. However, there has also been a lot to like about the way that Seymar Lad has been faring in his exploits on the racecourse this season. An 8lb rise for his facile course and distance win eleven days ago looks fair and, with the similar conditions set to prevail once more, Seymar Lad looks to be a good betting proposition in tricky race that opens the Newcastle card.
Euro American (GER) 7-4fav (11-12) Held up, headway after 5th, chased winner after 3 out, ridden from last, not quicken, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Day Of Claies (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Chef de Cour (FR) 11-8fav (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, 6th of 16, 15l behind Culcabock (9-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Stagecoach Diamond 16-1 (11-11) With leaders, hit 3 out, ridden approaching next, challenged between last 2, ridden, stayed on to lead flat, all out, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft beating Character Building (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
You Do The Math (IRE) 11-4 (10-8) Held up, headway after 6th, blundered 3 out, ridden and not fluent next, kept on from last, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Birdwatch (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Seymar Lad (IRE) 4-1fav (11-8) In touch, headway 7th, led approaching last, ran on well, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft beating August Rose (10-13) by 5l, 19 ran.
Posh Stick 25-1 (9-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Be My Better Half (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (2) hvy in Jan, 11 ran.
Jontys'lass 20-1 (10-12) With leaders, led 5th, hard ridden and kept on under pressure flat, won at Carlisle 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft beating Funny Times (11-1) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Bollin Thomas 9-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, well behind Etoile Russe (9-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
