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Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 6m 46.3s

Onderun¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 100| D

8/1

Pulled-up on his last visit to this track (4m) in November 2017; regularly tries to force the pace, and is a dangerous opponent when able to do so (3m2f Carlisle winner in April); risky on a gradual return from injury.

Form: 5513-P0

Dick Darsie¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 94| BF| D

10/1

Disappointing on seasonal reappearance at Sedgefield (3m2f) just over a fortnight ago. That said, strictly speaking is handicapped to beat today's rival Inchcolm (progressive since) based upon their 2017 Boxing Day clash at Wetherby (3m, soft).

Form: 21P56-3

Inchcolm¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: T Davidson| OR: 90| CD

5/4

Has previous with Dick Darsie (when with Micky Hammond), but has progressed quickly for current handler Tristan Davidson (2-3); 4lb higher than when winning at Doncaster (3m2f) latest and a Hexham winner prior; softer conditions the slight concern.

Form: 132411

Alto Des Mottes^b¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: H Hogarth| OR: 87| CD

10/3

Distant third over 4m here last month but much better latest when run down late by today's rival Inchcolm (3m2f, Doncaster); entirely possible that the softer conditions might favour him today, albeit the winner looks far more progressive overall.

Form: 3-68032

Cranbrook Causeway^b²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 86

13/2

Lightly raced over hurdles (0-5) and hasn't handled himself too badly in a couple of attempts over fences so far; handicap mark slowly easing so interesting to see if any signs of confidence elude from the market exchanges.

Form: 6P9P-54

Mcginty's Dream¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 73

9/1

In the doldrums at present and somewhat of a character by all accounts (must travel to the races alone in the horsebox); 1-22 overall and 0-9 over fences; on the plus side, soft/heavy ground is ideal.

Form: 2U-4470

Forecasts

Inchcolm (5/4), Alto Des Mottes (10/3), Cranbrook Causeway (13/2), Onderun (8/1), Mcginty's Dream (9/1), Dick Darsie (10/1)

The progressive horse in the line-up is INCHCOLM. He has flourished for trainer Tristan Davidson (has a fine overall strike-rate) and the North's leading rider Brian Hughes takes over in the saddle. If he does prove vulnerable, it will be solely on account of the softer ground conditions, so confidence would ease markedly should the often testing Northumberland venue be hit by further sustained rainfall.