led, headed approaching 2nd, remained prominent, reminders halfway, every chance 3 out, no extra from 2 out
mid-division, lost place halfway, soon behind
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, kept on one pace after next
raced keen, led approaching 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, faded
in touch until weakened 4 out
held up towards rear, headway halfway, reminders 4 out, effort next, went 2nd approaching 2 out, stayed on well to lead flat
tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, no extra
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
mid-division, weakened halfway
raced wide in mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
Lindseyfield Lodge gets the vote over Algenon, Dundock and Scots Dragoon in the opener on the card. Lindseyfield Lodge is out to get dual losses back after his two defeats at Market Rasen where he was sent off as favourite on both occasions. However, he was anchored with a penalty on each of those outings in bumper company, and is not saddled with the same burden as he tackles hurdles for the first time. This does not look a strong race at all, and the Nicky Richards inmate is the pick. Algenon makes the journey up from the west-country on the back of a belated comeback for his new connections, and should improve both for the run and on this better ground, while Dundock shaped with promise in bumpers and is another that will come on for his initial try over timber at Kelso. Scots Dragoon is well-related but has not sparkled yet and will need to have recovered from Wednesday's exertions here to figure. Nigel Twiston-Davies does well with his runners up here, so Platin Grounds has to merit a mention, but for the winner we return to Lindseyfield Lodge.
Algenon (DEN) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway on bit approaching 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 17, 45l behind Leading Authority (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Dundock 18-1 (10-7) Towards rear, weakened from 5th, 8th of 15, 24l behind Young Albert (11-7) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Fencote Mystery 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from halfway, 11th of 15, well behind Theatrical Moment (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Lindseyfield Lodge (IRE) 5-6fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, headway to challenge over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Major Comet (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Aug.
Midnight Chase Midnight Legend gelding, brother to winning chasers Barton May and Midnight Gold, half-brother to winning hurdler Capricorn Princess.
Platin Grounds (GER) 10-1 (11-3) Keen, led 1st, led again 5th, headed and hit 3 out, soon weakened and struggling, 5th of 8, well behind Tarotino (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Scots Dragoon 16-1 (11-3) Mid-diivision, ridden 4th, outpaced when not fluent 4 out, no danger after, 4th of 14, 36l behind Russian Trigger (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Sodantay (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Behind when blundered and unseated rider in race won by Russian Trigger (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft, 14 ran.
