took keen hold, chased clear leader until approaching 3 out, no chance with leading pair, weakened to 4th before last
not fluent 1st, always towards rear and never on terms, disputing poor 5th when blundered 3 out, tailed off
towards rear and never on terms, mistake 2nd, ridden after 4th, weakened next, tailed off
led and soon clear, mistake 4th, not fluent 6th, reduced lead after 3 out, headed when not fluent next, stayed on same pace and no chance with winner
pulled hard in rear, mistake 2nd, tailed off 6th, pulled up before last
took keen hold, chased leaders, mistake 6th, went 2nd before 3 out, driven to close after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, driven out
chased leading trio, not fluent 3rd, pushed along before 5th, disputing poor 5th when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up well in rear, never on terms, tailed off 6th, pulled up before last
took keen hold, close up in 5th, ridden before 6th, soon outpaced, 4th 3 out, rallied to modest 3rd before last
Crossword finished third on his hurdling debut at Hexham but was beaten a long way by the first two. Still, he finished a distance clear of fourth Mint Imperial and should have no trouble confirming that form. Kissing Clara could improve on her fourth at Market Rasen but it would be no surprise if this went to one of the newcomers. With McCoy booked, it appears that Arctic Reach is the pick of Brendan Powell's two runners but preference is for FREEDOM FLYER. Brian Ellison's stable is flying at present and his gelding can make a winning start over timber at this lowly level if putting a modest effort behind him when favourite at Beverley last month.
Crossword 5-1 (10-9) Chased leading pair, driven and outpaced approaching 2 out, soon no chance with front pair, tailed off, 3rd of 8, well behind Dance For Livvy (10-5) at Hexham 2m 3yo hdl (4) gf.
Kissing Clara (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Prominent, led 2nd, headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 8, 29l behind Market Maker (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gd.
Dew Reward (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Tracked leafers, led over 8f out, ridden and strongly challenged over 1f out, held on well, won at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo sell stks (6) pol beating History Girl (8-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran (flat).
Freedom Flyer (IRE) 7-4fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 10l behind Dance For Livvy (9-1) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May (flat).
Bobby Dazzler (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Soon crossed over to chase leader until ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 5th of 13, 9l behind Nutshell (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol (flat).
Arctic Reach 20-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Westhaven (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol (flat).
Mint Imperial (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, outpaced 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 4th of 8, well behind Dance For Livvy (10-5) at Hexham 2m 3yo hdl (4) gf.
Snapshott (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 3rd, jumped slowly and hampered 3rd, soon lost place and behind, tailed off 4 out, ran out 2 out, in a race won by Cool Newport (10-5) at Ffos Las 2m 3yo hdl (4) gf, 6 ran.
Xenophon 25-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, reminders halfway, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 11l behind Dew Reward (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo sell stks (6) pol (flat).