chased leaders, pushed along to lead approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra
in touch, ridden to chase winner approaching last, no impression
held up, effort 3 out, weakening when mistake last
held up mid-division, outpaced approaching 2 out
led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, struggling approaching 4 out, rallied next, never dangerous
held up towards rear, struggling from 8th
chased leader, led 2 out, driven clear, run-in
held up towards rear, edged left and kept on approaching last
held up mid-division, weakened 3 out
The Nicky Richards-trained Oh Yah Dancer is probably a good deal better than he showed on his racecourse debut at Kelso last month but he is hard to back on that evidence and a safer bet may be Silver By Nature, with Ajay rated the pick of the remainder. The selection lacks any hurdling experience but has run well in both starts in bumpers, winning the second of them at Perth when last seen in April. If translating that form to hurdles, the five-year-old may well be good enough to land this. Howard Johnson's Cast Iron Casey looked useful when making a winning start in a Wetherby bumper in February but was subsequently disappointing at Carlisle and he may be best watched at present. Ferdy Murphy's Master Builder showed only a modicum of ability in two starts in Ireland but may do better for the change of scenery. More solid claims are held by stable companion Ajay who has shown ability but Silver By Nature looks the one they all have to beat and he gets the vote.
Ajay (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 5th of 16, 13l behind Marleybow (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Carrick Dhu (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden and outpaced from 3 out, 5th of 16, 23l behind Montana Slim (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs.
Cast Iron Casey (IRE) 9-4 (11-11) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 4f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased, 6th of 10, well behind Harry Wood (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy in Mar.
Filey Buoy 66-1 (11-0) Close up, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 9, 15l behind Sprinkler (10-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf.
Lucius Rufo (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Prominent, weakened 4 out, 7th of 11, 24l behind Oxford de Lagarde (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Master Builder (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway into 7th after 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before straight, 7th of 15, 25l behind Becolark (11-1) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl gf in Apr.
Oh Yah Dancer (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, pushed along halfway, weakened 4 out, 9th of 16, 37l behind Frankie Figg (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Rodrigo Gonzales (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Prominent, chased leading pair under pressure over 3f out, one pace, no impression final 2f, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Shoreacres (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gd.
Silver By Nature 11-1 (11-4) Held up, headway and in touch 5f out, led over 3f out, stayed on, won at Perth 2m nhf (5) gs in Apr beating Bold Policy (10-10) by 3l, 14 ran.
New Source (IRE) 80-1 (10-2) Towards rear when unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by The Shy Man (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 13 ran.
