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Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 6m 25.20s

Sharp Response²⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 124

5/2

Reverts to hurdling from a career high mark after winning over fences at Catterick (3m1f, good to soft) in February; 7lb higher than when finishing 1¾L second to Dubai Angel at Newcastle (2m6f, heavy) in March 2017.

Form: 26/7321-

Arctic Vodka¹⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S A Watt| OR: 124| C

8/1

Gamely fended off Behindthelines (neck) when winning a 2m4f maiden hurdle (heavy) here in March, and ended the season a runner-up on virtually unraceable ground at Newcastle, just 1¼L behind Eastview Boy; 3lb higher for first attempt at 3m.

Form: 232P12-

The Hollow Ginge²²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 123

5/2

Difficult to draw too many positives from his two starts in early 2018 (heavy), and wouldn't be the most obviously well-handicapped. However, is respected (given his connections) in a slightly weaker northern contest.

Form: 5/13376-

Tickenwolf^p³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 114| C

7/2

Aided by cheekpieces when scoring by 12L over fences here in June (good), and most certainly appreciates the delights of the rural Northumberland countryside (121411); has raced only once over hurdles since June 2016.

Form: F-71646

Rivabodiva^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 112

10/3

Mudlark; given a positive ride by this promising jockey in optimum conditions at Newcastle in April (3m heavy); remains 10lb higher; ran reasonably well when finishing almost 22L fourth of eight to Justatenner on seasonal reappearance (3m Perth).

Form: 24215-4

Non-Runners

David John⁶

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: J K Hunter J: Sam Coltherd

Captain Mowbray¹¹⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: R Menzies J: Nathan Moscrop

Forecasts

The Hollow Ginge (5/2), Sharp Response (5/2), Rivabodiva (10/3), Tickenwolf (7/2), Captain Mowbray (8/1), Arctic Vodka (8/1), David John (14/1)

No standout contender, so a very difficult race to solve. A sustained spell of rain prior to racing would certainly suit the mare Rivabodiva who ploughed her way through the sodden Newcastle turf in April when the beneficiary of a tactically astute ride by Thomas Willmott. Tickenwolf commonly thrives at Hexham (121411), but hasn't raced over hurdles for well over two years now, whilst the topweight Sharp Response competes from a career high mark. Therefore, we'll chance the improving ARCTIC VODKA, and simply hope that his stamina reserves last out on his first ever start over 3m.