made all, stayed on strongly from 2 out
tracked leaders, hit 10th, blundered and dropped rear next, tailed off when mistake last
with leader, hit 4 out, mistake next, soon ridden, no extra from 2 out
held up in touch, headway 10th, went 2nd 3 out, one pace next
not fluent, held up towards rear, pushed along and outpaced approaching 4 out, headway under pressure after 3 out, kept on one pace
Quite a tricky contest to end the day, but Hunters Creek looks to have a fine chance to atone for his mishap at Catterick last weekend. He would almost certainly have won had he not come to grief at the last and is taken to come out on top here. Stone Cold was held when presented with second place in that race, but had he not got the third last all wrong, it would certainly have been closer. Tim Easterby's gelding is at home under prevailing conditions and will be a tough nut to crack. Dream On Willie has been in good form of late in minor events and while he is still open to improvement, having only had the four outings over fences to date, he may just find these handicappers too good for him on these terms. June's River has a competent amateur on board, but may find this ground on the fast side, while Aelred is held by Stone Cold on their running at Carlisle earlier this month. Lauderdale seems to reserve his best for Kelso, but he is starting to slip down the handicap and is only 2lbs higher than when last successful.Course winner Diceman will find this company more to his liking after finding the demands of Cheltenham too much, but he has yet to win for anyone other than Domenic Elsworth. So, hopefully Hunters Creek's confidence hasn't been affected by his fall and he can see off Stone Cold.
