towards rear, ridden 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
made all, pushed along and joined 2 out, asserted towards finish
tracked leaders, pushed along 3 out, ridden next, kept on one pace
in touch, headway 2 out, ridden and kept on one pace
prominent, ridden to join winner 2 out, every chance until no extra towards finish
in touch, headway to track leaders 4th, ridden and jumped left 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, dropped to rear at 4th, weakened 2 out, blundered next
keen in rear, ridden 4th, mistake next, weakened 2 out
close up, ridden 3 out, weakened next
DEMOCRATIC OATH (NAP) was far from disgraced thrown in at the deep end on his first run since wind surgery at Musselburgh. He’s improving with experience and has little to beat in this. Sambezi won a Hexham bumper in the autumn and has had a break ahead of his hurdles bow. Moonlight Beam is a little more exposed but must also have place claims with You Some Boy preferred to Amma Lord of Rebecca Menzies’ duo.
Amma Lord (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Restrained in midfield, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, 29 1/2l behind Argonauta (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Democratic Oath (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Held up, blunder 3 out, ridden 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 6 3/4l behind Bareback Jack (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m (2) sft in Feb.
Moonlight Beam (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear on outside, headway over 1f out, stayed on, challenged towards finish, rider lost right iron last stride, just held, 2nd of 14, hd behind Creggan White Hare (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Feb.
Pitempton Power (IRE) 150-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th or 2 out, soon 4th and held, weakened last, 4th of 10, 16 3/4l behind Dreams Of Home (11-8) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) hvy in Feb.
Sambezi (FR) 2-1fav (11-7) Held up behind leaders, ridden in rear turning for home, soon beaten, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Lesser (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (5) hvy in Dec.
Skipness 125-1 (11-4) Towards rear, 8th and plenty to when came wide into straight, kept on run-in, nearest finish, 5th of 16, 18 3/4l behind Omar Maretti (11-4) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn (4) hvy in Feb.
Westdante (IRE) 150-1 (11-6) Chased leading trio, reminders after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, dist behind Pay The Piper (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
You Some Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Led, ran green at times, pushed along over 2f out, headed over 1f out, hampered entering final furlong, 4th and held after, one pace, 4th of 7, 4 1/4l behind Hackberry (10-7) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Princess Avery (IRE) 80-1 (10-11) Led at steady pace, headed 4f out, ridden 3f out, gradually weakened from over 2f out, 6th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Mackenberg (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Feb.
