in touch, headway chasing leaders 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, soon no chance with easy winner, lost 2nd run-in and dropped to 4th close home
in touch, mistake 2nd, fell 4th
led until 2nd, chased winner, ridden and no impressiopn when lost 2nd before 2 out, plugged on same pace, went 3rd close home
held up, pushed along after 4th, headway approaching 3 out, driven along and weakened before next
chased leaders, weakend 3 out, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before next
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
raced wide in touch, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, ridden before next, stayed on into 2nd run-in, no chance with easy winner
raced wide throughout, led 2nd, made rest, clear before 2 out, kept on strongly, easily
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
With most of these struggling for form, Nicki's Nipper should make another bold bid having beaten Mrs Grass over track and trip recently. Celtic Artisan has won on the all-weather this year but failed to complete reverting to hurdling at Kelso last time and a chance is taken on MARCUS ANTONIUS. It’s been some time since Lucinda Russell’s charge got his head in front but won on fast ground the last time he did so and was second in a higher grade hurdle at Ayr on his penultimate start. The rest are hard to fancy on recent form though Hi Dancer has tumbled down the weights and has won over track and trip before.
Celtic Artisan (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Towards rear on outside, headway into mid-division 3rd, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Kelso 2m hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Marcus Antonius 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, pressed for 3rd briefly, no impression on front pair, one pace, 4th of 11, 29l behind Kilronan Castle (11-9) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Little Buxted (USA) 100-1 (11-3) Led until 2nd, tracked leaders, under pressure 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 27 1/4l behind Clayton (11-3) at Plumpton 2m mdn (5) hvy in Feb.
Momkinzain (USA) 7-1 (11-0) 5th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Celtic Monarch (11-0) at Hexham 2m (5) gd in Jun.
Nordical (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Kempton 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
District Attorney (IRE) 200-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, weakened quickly 3f out, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Gunnery (8-8) at Haydock 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Apr.
Skyfire 14-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before last, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 30l behind Quill Art (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Mrs Grass 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, mistake 2 out, hung right approaching last, every chance flat, held close home, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Nicki's Nipper (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Hi Dancer 16-1 (10-5) In touch, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Mister Hendre (10-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
Noble Reach 25-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, lost place over 8f out, 8th of 14, 14l behind Major Rowan (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Nicki's Nipper 5-1 (10-3) Prominent, led 4th, pressed from 2 out, driven flat, stayed on, in command close home, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Apr beating Mrs Grass (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
