keen to post, took keen hold in 4th, hit 5th, pushed along after 2 out, soon outpaced, went modest 4th approaching last
tracked leader until approaching and hit 2nd, chased leading pair, went 2nd again soon after 2 out, no chance with winner
held up last, not fluent 5th, smooth headway approaching 2 out, led on long run to last, in command last, came clear run-in
took keen hold and raced wide, went 2nd approaching 2nd, led after next, ridden and headed on long run to last, 3rd and one pace approaching last
led, headed after 3rd, chased leader, hit 2 out, soon lost 2nd and weakened
INDEPUB carries a penalty for last week's victory at Carlisle but is still well treated on his old form. He likes soft ground and should take all the beating getting 3lb from Sedgefield scorer Hurricane Ivan. Vuvuzela is lightly raced and was well ahead of Sam Lord at Hexham last month. He should confirm that form if the outing hasn't taken too much out of him. Silverton was second at Ayr in November but reverted to type at Newcastle next time.
Vuvuzela 10-1 (11-2) Held up in touch in rear, took keen hold, headway 6th, chased winner 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner last, lost 2nd flat, one pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Forty Crown (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Apr.
Sam Lord 16-1 (11-2) Led until after 1st, led 2nd until before 2 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 47l behind Forty Crown (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Apr.
Hurricane Ivan (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway before 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led last, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft beating Doyenthedecenthing (10-3) by 4l, 13 ran.
Silverton 5-1 (11-12) Led narrowly, headed 4 out, soon behind, weakened before next, 6th of 9, 43l behind Rhymers Stone (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Indepub 9-1 (10-9) Led, headed before 4th, remained close up, led 2 out, headed before last, kept on to regain lead last 75 yards, won at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating Welsh Bard (11-12) by 1l, 12 ran.