Newcastle Races

Prominent - raced in second before 4th - pressed leader before 10th - disputed lead 4 out - nudged along when led before 2 out - reduced lead approaching last - comfortably (trainer said - regarding the apparent improvement in form - that gelding benefitted from the first-time application of blinkers)(op 9/4 tchd 7/4)

Held up in rear - steady headway and went fourth before 4 out - went second before 2 out - no match for winner (jockey said - regarding running and riding - that his instructions were to get gelding to settle as gelding had shown tendencies to race freely in his previous starts over hurdles and - as such - didn't see his races out; he explained that he felt the race was being run at a good gallop and he was happy with how gelding had settled being his first start over fences; he added that he anticipated horses on the front end would weaken as a result of the strong pace being set; he explained that he felt gelding was responding well and passing horses but felt gelding didn't jump the remaining fences in home straight as well as he was hoping for and lost momentum at every fence; he finalised by explaining that gelding was always being held by the winner on run to line and - in his opinion - had obtained best possible placing. his explanation was noted)(op 10/1)

In touch with leaders - lost third before 3 out - mistake last - went modest third run-in(op 9/1)