tracked leader, led 3 out, joined last, stayed on well, in command towards finish
held up in rear, headway on outside approaching 3 out, chased winner before next, challenged last, held towards finish
mid-division, took keen hold, headway after 2nd, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
prominent, hit 3 out, not much room and stumbled on bend approaching 2 out, soon beaten, mistake last
held up, not fluent 2nd, headway when hampered 7th, no impression 2 out
in touch on inside, mistake and reminders 5th, ridden after next, 3rd 2 out, no extra last
took keen hold towards rear, behind from 7th, tailed off
towards rear and not always fluent, behind from 7th, tailed off
led, mistake 6th, headed 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders on outside, lost place when not fluent 3 out, weakened before next
held up, mistake 6th, headway when jumped right and mistake next, weakened approaching 2 out
This looks to rest between the three previous winners and a case can be made for each of them. However, the verdict is awarded to SCRIPTWRITER on the grounds that he's the only one to have obliged at this trip and still gives the impression we've yet to see the best of him over timber. He came to grief last time but did the job nicely enough over course and distance previously and is preferred to Ouest Eclair, who has been performing with credit in handicap company of late. City Ground inched home in a desperate finish here on only his second outing but he's the one with the potential to improve significantly.
Scriptwriter (IRE) 11-8fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Mr Supreme (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 10 ran.
City Ground (USA) 8-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, took keen hold, went 3rd after 3 out, led 2 out, headed narrowly run-in, rallied to regain lead close home, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Priceless Art (11-0) by shd, 11 ran.
Balwyllo (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) In rear, mistake 1st, well behind 6th, tailed off, last of 18, well behind Andhaar (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Candleford 18-1 (11-3) Mid-division on inside, lost place when mistake 6th, behind from 3 out, 11th of 15, well behind Spirit of Adjisa (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Into The Light 66-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, 4th and outpaced 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 24l behind Mr Supreme (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Ouest Eclair (FR) 11-10fav (11-3) In touch, headway on long run to 3 out, hung right from 2 out, ridden to chase winner when hit last, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Lady Bluesky (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
Rats 100-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear and keen, weakened from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Charminster (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Runswick Relax 33-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear and keen, some headway over 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 15, 31l behind Nodform Richard (11-3) at Kelso 2m NH flat (6) gs in Mar.
Smudger 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, every chance 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 13, 40l behind Attaglance (11-3) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Cauldron 100-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, reminders after 5th, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 39l behind Odin's Raven (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gf.
Glaced Over 40-1 (10-0) Always behind, never a factor, 11th of 15, 45l behind Moon Indigo (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.