led, headed after 3 out, soon lost place
with leader until 3 out, soon one pace in 3rd and no impression
held up in touch, took keen hold, challenged before 2 out, led 2 out, headed narrowly after last, regained lead run-in, just held on, game
in rear, pushed along and struggling from 6th
tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place from 3 out
in rear, niggled along and weakened from 6th
tracked leaders in 4th, headway 3 out, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, regained narrow lead after last, headed run-in, kept on and just held close home
The step up in trip clearly suited Istimraar in a handicap over course and distance 11 days ago and the four-year-old will take all the beating here with a similar effort. But Never Never seems better over shorter and has been a little disappointing since breaking his duck at Cartmel last spring. Tommy O'Dwyer was second over 3m at Musselburgh in November but may not be suited by the drop in distance. GROVE SILVER probably pulled too hard at Carlisle last time but travelled well for most of the way until getting outpaced approaching the last. He's improving so gets a tentative vote with Dean's Walk looking best of the rest.
Never Never (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Led until before 4th, led 6th, headed when not much room last, switched right and stayed on flat, no impression, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Restraint of Trade (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Dean's Walk (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Led, headed before 3 out, ridden before last, soon outpaced, 4th of 9, 9l behind Aniknam (10-12) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Grove Silver (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Held up in touch, headway to chase winner 2 out, edged left and kept on one pace flat, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Subtle Grey (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Lovely Touch (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Chased clear leader until before 4th, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Ebony Express (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Tommy O'dwyer (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, outpaced before 3 out, rallied from 2 out, stayed on, unable to challenge, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Master Dee (11-0) at Musselburgh 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Transient Bay (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) With leader, reminders before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Aniknam (10-12) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 9 ran.
Istimraar (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec beating Snowed In (10-10) by 10l, 8 ran.
Cowslip 150-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, mistake and well beaten 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Balmusette (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
