in touch on outside, lost place 6th, behind when slightly hampered 8th
held up in touch, ridden after 2 out, one pace approaching last
held up in rear, headway 2 out, stayed on flat, took 2nd close home
held up in touch, mistake 8th, led approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra, lost 2nd close home
pulled hard, mid-division, headway 6th, blundered 7th, mistake next, soon beaten
chased leaders, ridden when fell 8th
towards rear, headway from 2 out, stayed on flat, nearest finish
behind, reminder after 4th, hampered 8th, never near leaders
mid-division, headway 8th, went 2nd after 2 out, led last, drew clear on long run-in
prominent, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, ridden and lost place 6th
in rear, mistake 5th, headway approaching 8th, no impression approaching last
led until approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, never dangerous
mid-division, struggling 6th, soon behind
hit 6th, always behind
always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
A wide open seller gets proceedings underway but something has to win and the principals look to be Nortonthorpe Lad, Star Of Germany and Castlemainvillage and the tentative nomination is given to the last named. The selection was a fair second behind Ruling Reef last time out, that form looks rock solid and off what remains a fair mark and under similar conditions he looks the one to be on. Star Of Germany rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Si Mo Chu. He looks sure to appreciate this longer trip and should be watched in the market. Nortonthorpe Lad is another worthy of respect; he was slightly disappointing behind Barney over fences last time but should appreciate the return to hurdles. Turn Card is another that could go well on his best form but looks vulnerable under top weight. Of the remainder, Mitrash is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is hard too win with and in a race where stakes should be kept to a minimum for the winner we are happy to return to Castlemainvillage.
Turn Card (IRE) 18-1 (10-5) Always behind, 14th of 16, well behind Dr Dream (10-2) at Bangor 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gs in Apr.
Nortonthorpe Lad (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, hit 3rd, weakened 8th, 6th of 11, 30l behind Barney (9-9) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Apr.
Deoraoicht (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, 8th of 16, 44l behind Deep Pockets (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Star of Germany (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Behind, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on run-in, 4th of 16, 7l behind Slo Mo Shun (10-3) at Towcester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Sistema 40-1 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 4th, reminder after 6th, behind from 8th, 9th of 13, 43l behind Reelinga (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) sft in Apr.
Risk Challenge (USA) 20-1 (10-3) Held up behind, ridden and kept on same pace from 3 out, never troubled leaders, 7th of 17, 24l behind Pearly Star (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Sesaro Express (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 6th, weakened before 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Ruling Reef (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Apr, 17 ran.
Medianoche (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Always behind, weakened from 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Saucy Bingo (11-9) at Newcastle 3m cnd nov hcp hdl (5) hvy in Apr, 14 ran.
Directa's Digger (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) In rear, soon driven along, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 13l behind Dr Dream (10-2) at Bangor 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gs in Apr.
Castlemainevillage (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra, 2nd of 17, 1l behind Ruling Reef (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Apr.
Mitrash 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, led and hit 2 out, soon headed, one pace, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Dr Dream (10-2) at Bangor 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gs in Apr.
Cleopatras Therapy (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Held up, not fluent 3rd, hampered 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Reelinga (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) sft in Apr.
Marktic Fashion (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Held up, shaken up 4th, weakened 5th, 6th of 8, well behind Azione (11-4) at Warwick 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Mar.
Mescalera (GER) 12-1 (11-7) Trckd ldrs; led 9-11; fell in race won by Sams Lad (12-0) at Cilwendeg 3m ptp gd in Apr, 6 ran.
Lightening Fire (IRE) 9-4fav (10-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, led next, clear when hit 3 out, soon drew away, won at Plumpton 2m 5f sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Apr beating Kings Story (11-5) by 11l, 9 ran.
Lady Shanan (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Fu Fighter (11-12) at Southwell 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gd in Jul '05, 14 ran.
Scott 150-1 (9-7) Prominent from 2nd, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ede's (9-7) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Feb, 19 ran.
Mialyssa 25-1 (10-0) Always well behind, 9th of 12, well behind Ask The Gatherer (10-7) at Towcester 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gd in Apr.
