always towards rear, 6th and beaten when fell 3 out
made all and jumped well, drew clear from 3 out, unchallenged
mid-division, hit 7th, tracked winner from next, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, effort and lost place 7th, soon beaten
always towards rear, blundered 6th, beaten from next
tracked leaders, hit 5th and 6th, ridden next, soon beaten
always handy, effort approaching 4 out, soon one pace, no chance with winner
With Armaturk engaged on Friday, we select Madison du Berlais ahead of Town Crier and Jack's Craic. Madison du Berlais finished ahead of Nyrche in the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham and can confirm the form at Ayr. Cannily campaigned by Martin Pipe, he could still be well in from a handicap perspective and we will side with him here. Town Crier is an in-and-out performer. He was well behind Jack's Craic at Aintree but could appreciate this afternoon's ground. Jack's Craic ran particularly well on that occasion and is a game sort. The handicapper has his say in the matter and he is racing off a mark of 143. Caracciola is inconsistent but can handle the surface and is watched in the market. Nyrche has figured in a number of the earlier formlines but has been granted no respite from the handicapper and seems fated to find one too good. A good race in prospect and we prefer the lightly-raced Madison du Berlais.
Jacks Craic (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out, won at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd beating Nyrche (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Nyrche (FR) 7-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led 6th, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Jacks Craic (10-2) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd.
Town Crier (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) In touch, chased leader 4 out, ridden every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 16, 15l behind Jacks Craic (10-2) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd.
Caracciola (GER) 16-1 (11-7) Behind, hampered 4th, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat, never nearer, 8th of 23, 8l behind Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Kalca Mome (FR) 50-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, no chance when slightly hampered 3 out, 14th of 23, 33l behind Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 11-1 (10-4) Mid-division, hampered 3rd, hit 9th, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, ran on well flat, 3rd of 23, 3l behind Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Roman Ark 40-1 (11-2) In touch to 12th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Star De Mohaison (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd, 15 ran.
Armaturk (FR) 50-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders to 4th, behind when hampered 6th, soon struggling, 6th of 16, 15l behind Jacks Craic (10-2) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd.
Polyphon (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leader, led approaching 4th, clear approaching 4 out, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Show Me The River (11-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
