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Off time: 17:41 | Winning time: 5m 49.50s

Arctic Vodka³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S A Watt| OR: 120

5/1

Battled home to beat Behindthelines (runs earlier on the card) at Hexham last month and the 7lb rise looks fairly harsh. Loves the mud though so has his conditions and should again be very much on the premises.

Form: 8232P1

Dedigout^p,t²⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-11| J: H Thompson Brown⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 119| BF| D

7/4

One-time smart performer in Ireland where he twice won in Grade 2 company. On the downgrade these days but twice went close at Ayr this term and cannot be ruled out of the equation if in the mood.

Form: 864225

Eastview Boy³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 112| C

9/4

Three career wins have all come at no more than 2m1f so longer trip here has to be a concern in this ground. Raised 2lb for wining small race at Sedgefield last time so undoubtedly in good heart.

Form: U162P-1

Pistol²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr John Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: J E Dixon| OR: 112

11/2

Likes to race prominently and relishes heavy ground . Scored at Carlisle in February (raised 9lb) and ground probably not soft enough when third on return visit there last month. High enough in the weights though at the moment.

Form: 672713

Barrys Jack⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: C R King| T: B Ellison| OR: 109| D

15/2

Has run poorly last six starts over both hurdles and fences having landed a hat-trick over hurdles earlier on this season and subsequently hit by the handicapper. No obvious sign of return to best of late and more needed to figure.

Form: U4FP6P

Non-Runners

Un Guet Apens¹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 10

T: J Ewart J: Non Runner

War Joey¹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 5

T: Mrs A Hamilton J: B S Hughes

Aniknam⁸

Weight: 10-0| Age: 8

T: P A Kirby J: A Nicol

Forecasts

Dedigout (7/4), Eastview Boy (9/4), Arctic Vodka (5/1), Pistol (11/2), Aniknam (13/2), Un Guet Apens (7/1), Barrys Jack (15/2), War Joey (16/1)

The veteran DEDIGOUT is not the force of old but with his stable remaining in good form he could well go close here in what looks an open contest. Top weight Arctic Vodka is respected following his win last time but needs to improve again to follow up, while Pistol is capable at this level if things go his way. Eastview Boy is in form but the trip is a concern in this ground, and War Joey is open to improvement and the step up in trip may help, so any market interest would be worth noting.