set modest pace, ridden and quickened from over 3f out, clear final 2f, stayed on well, easily
held up in last, ridden 3f out, went 3rd over 1f out, no impression on winner, one pace
tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace
took keen hold, chased winner until edged right 2f out, 4th and no extra over 1f out
A smart chaser when on song, HAMMERSLY LAKE was last seen running in a Grade 1 over hurdles in the States back in October. This will be his first taste of the all-weather but he should be far too classy with these if coping. Newstart is probably being prepared for another summer jumping campaign but has won over 2m and is preferred to Good Tradition and Green Light, who have also had a break, for forecast purposes.
Good Tradition (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, closed after 5th, ridden before 3 out, weakened from next, 4th of 6, 31l behind Thorpe (10-9) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Green Light 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, soon behind, 11th of 12, 16 1/4l behind Archipeligo (9-12) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Newstart (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway before last, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Rhymers Stone (11-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Hamelin Pool 200-1 (10-12) Keen, tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd and next, lost place and behind after 3rd, struggling next, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Oistrakh Le Noir (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Hammersly Lake (FR) Evenscfav (11-2) Bid,hung,, 5th of 7, 4 3/4l behind Mr. Hot Stuff (11-2) at Far Hills 2m 5f stks gd in Oct.
