held up in touch, took closer order 9th, led 11th, ridden 4 out, headed 2 out, rallied to lead again last, ridden out
tracked leaders and not fluent, outpaced 11th, ridden after 5 out, kept on from 3 out
with leader, ridden to join leader 4 out, challenged next, led 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace
tracked leaders, blundered 10th, weakened 4 out
always behind, outpaced 12th, weakened approaching 4 out, behind when pulled up
led, headed approaching 11th, weakened 13th, behind then pulled up
In this staying handicap chase, Kerry Lads is given the call over Tarbolton Moss and Lord Capitaine. The selection is now back to the mark from which he won over course and distance in February 2003 and comes here fit following two runs. He was also second in last season's Scottish National from a six-pound higher mark, form that stands out here. Tarbolton Moss is also a course and distance winner and is now back to a mark that is two pounds below a winning one at Kelso in January. He too has had a seasonal pipe-opener and can go well. Lord Capitaine is generally consistent, having won three of his last eight races, and, being just four pounds above a winning mark, has also to be considered, even though he has not run since April. Devil's Run is now just one pound above the mark from which he won at Sedgefield in March, and he too has had a seasonal pipe-opener, but Double You Cubed needs a career best and races from two pounds out of the weights. Finally, Direct Access has only had one run in a year but, a winner from a 10lb higher mark just over two years ago, he would have a chance if Lenny Lungo has worked the oracle with him. There is some good prize-money on offer here and it should be a good race, with, once again, the vote going to Kerry Lads.
