held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, went 2nd approaching and hampered next, led 2 out, kept on well, driven out
prominent, hampered 3 out, weakened after last
held up in touch and keen, quickly lost place and reminders after 6th, pulled up soon after
tracked leaders and keen, evry chance when hit 2 out, kept on same pace from last
with leader, hit 7th, pushed along after next, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, no impression from next
led, hit 4 out, jumped badly left next, headed 2 out, no extra from last
Red Harbour comes here in great form but Babysitter let down the Sandown form earlier in the week and under an 8lb rise in the weights he is passed over in favour of RIPTIDE, with Andytown another feasible danger. Donald McCain's gelding was underestimated last time out at Newbury but showed good resolution to beat Lively Fling. He has different ground to contend with today but he has performed with credit on quicker going before so it shouldn't be too much of a worry and off his light weight he could run a big race. Federstar is on a roll but has a prior engagement on Friday, Cassius is 13lb higher than when winning at Kelso last time and is worse off at the weights with the runner-up Glingerbank, whilst the step back up in trip will suit the adaptable Grandad Bill. King Of Confusion looks a tough ride and cannot be recommended with any confidence, so a bigger and more obvious danger is Red Harbour. His profile is one of steady progression this season and as long as his race at Sandown last time has not left too harsh a mark, then he should run another big race with McCoy booked. Finally Andytown, with Barry Geraghty back in the saddle for the first time in a while, is a player off his lower handicap mark, however Riptide looks worth chancing off bottom-weight.
Andytown (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division, effort on outside after 4 out, outpaced approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 16th of 28, 30l behind Spirit River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Red Harbour (IRE) 4-1fav (10-11) Mid-division on outside, headway 3 out, challenged 2 out, led narrowly last, ridden and headed flat, rallied to regain lead near finish, won at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar beating Babysitter (10-9) by shd, 18 ran.
King of Confusion (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Behind, ridden before 5th, soon trailing, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Lake Legend (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec, 19 ran.
Glingerbank (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, headway to challenge 2 out, soon ridden, kept on and every chance, just held, 2nd of 8, hd behind Well Disguised (9-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Grandad Bill (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Mid-division, weakened after 4 out, 10th of 21, 20l behind Dee Ee Williams (11-12) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd.
Cassius (IRE) 7-4fav (11-1) Tracked leader, led approaching 4th, stayed on well from last, won at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating Glingerbank (11-12) by 8l, 10 ran.
Riptide 10-3 (11-10) Tracked leader, reminder after 3rd, shoved along at several stages after, lost 2nd 4th, rear 6th, soon switched to outside, rallied after 7th, led and went left just before 3 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 3f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Mar beating Lively Fling (10-11) by 5l, 5 ran.
Federstar (GER) 2-1fav (11-6) Always prominent, led approaching 3rd until 5th, led 7th until 3 out, remained challenging, led last, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy beating Diamond Brook (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
