held up in touch and took keen hold, mistake 11th, every chance 2 out, one pace flat
prominent until weakened 9th
led, hit 6th, headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up, headway approaching 10th, weakened 4 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, no impression when mistake 2 out
prominent, 5th and weakening when fell 2 out
held up an behind, headway 4 out, ridden and stayed on flat
held up, pecked 2nd, headway 8th, led 3 out, driven out
prominent, jumped left and hampered 11th, pulled up before next
behind, blundered 6th, soon driven along, fell 2 out
Mixsterthetrixster is rather harshly set to go up 9lbs in future handicaps following his win at Newcastle last week and the nine-year-old may struggle under his 7lb penalty today so preference is for Key Phil, who gets the vote ahead of Spring Lover. The last mentioned could hardly have been more consistent over the last year but he has paid the price at the hands of the handicapper as a result and gave the impression at Ludlow last time that he may now be a shade high in the weights. Len Lungo's Hallyards Gael returns after a long absence and has claims if fit enough for his reappearance but would probably want a faster surface, while Malcolm Jefferson's The Manse Brae has yet to prove his effectiveness on ground this soft but should go on it being by Roselier. Richard Lee's Macnance is consistent and should be thereabouts once more but preference is for Key Phil, who lost no caste in defeat behind Almost Broke at Perth last week under similar conditions and a reproduction of that effort may suffice.
Mixsterthetrixster (USA) 10-1 Held up towards rear, headway inside 4 out, switched right and led 2 out, pushed out from last, won at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (C) gd beating Wrags To Riches by 15l, 6 ran.
Hallyards Gael (IRE) 7-4fav Held up in touch, headway to lead 8th, made rest, stayed on strongly approaching last, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in May beating Benrajah by 9l, 8 ran.
Spring Lover (FR) 9-4 In touch, headway 8th, driven 5 out, led 4 out, ridden when headed 2 out, ran on close home, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Talbot Lad at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Mar.
Key Phil (FR) 6-1 Tracked leader, led 4th to 7th, outpaced 3 out, ridden next, stayed on and every chance last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Almost Broke at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft.
Jaffa 17-2 Held up in rear, headway 9th, led on bit 3 out, not extended, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd beating Fireaway by 5l, 9 ran.
Gatorade (NZ) 5-1 Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out, 4th of 8, 10l behind Noisetine at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft.
The Manse Brae (IRE) 4-1 Held up in touch, blundered 5th, pushed along after 12th, outpaced approaching 4 out, 3rd of 6, 27l behind Joaaci at Ayr 3m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd.
Macnance (IRE) 2-1jt-fav Prominent, lost place 5th, slow jump 7th, lost touch 10th, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Laskari at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (D) gf.
