held up in touch, ridden and outpaced 4 out
chased winner until 12th, soon weakened, pulled up 4 out
held up in touch, outpaced 4 out, ridden and stayed on flat, gaining on winner towards finish
tracked leaders, chased winner 12th, all of 8 lengths down last, ridden and stayed on flat, gaining on winner near finish
made all, quickened pace 10th soon clear, 8 lengths clear last, ridden and tired near finish, just held on
always in rear, never a factor
STORMIN EXIT is the selection ahead of Nirvana Swing and Bill's Echo. Jim Goldie's gelding has exhibited much of his better form on genuinely good ground so in a sense, some of his failures on heavy going can be ignored. The handicapper has been a little naughty in allocating a 3lb rise for a recent placed effort but a mark of 115 does not look harsh. Nirvana Swing is a workmanlike individual. He has to reverse form with our selection though is at least coming back down the weights. Bill's Echo is tried without the blinkers he ordinarily wears. He should appreciate the step back up in trip. Storymaker almost stole a race under a proactive ride at Catterick. He is not the most frequent winner. Peter Monteith's horses are in better form than what they were so Cast Iron Casey has to enter calculations even though this is his first sight of a racecourse for three months. Water Taxi invariably travels like a winner though does not always find a great deal off the bridle. Stormin Exit should have going to suit and in receipt of lumps of weight, receives the vote.
Bill's Echo 16-1 (11-8) Behind, chased leaders approaching last, soon ridden, kept on flat, 6th of 10, 5l behind Tom's Toybox (10-9) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar '09.
Nirvana Swing (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, reminders and lost place after 8th, soon sturggling, behind from 5 out, 8th of 10, well behind Stormin Exit (10-8) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Cast Iron Casey (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Towards rear, struggling from 8th, 10th of 15, 48l behind Watch My Back (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec.
Storymaker 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 5th, progess to chase leader 9th, led approaching 2 out, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Lease Lend (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Quito Du Tresor (FR) 7-2fav (11-6) Held up in touch, every chance approaching and mistake last, no extra, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Lease Lend (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Water Taxi 40-1 (11-3) In rear, blundered 6th, pushed along approaching 9th, soon weakened, blundered 5 out, 6th of 10, 28l behind Salut Flo (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Stormin Exit (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up, headway 4 out, hit 2 out, ridden to chase winner last, no impression, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Fred Bojangals (10-5) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
