in touch, outpaced 12th, soon behind
made most to 5 out, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
behind, headway and in touch 10th, rallied when hit 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and edged right last, kept on same pace
held up, headway and in touch 9th, challenged next, led 4 out, kept on
chased leader, lost place 10th, soon behind, tailed off
held up, headway 12th, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out
Forever Eyesofblue can provide the key to the finale, while Kausse De Thaix and Finest Of Men spearhead the challenge from the rest. Finest Of Men will appreciate the going and has sound claims at this level. He is well worth considering as an alternative if the on course market think the terms of the race do not conspire against the joint top weight. Kausse De Thaix has plenty of experience and looks fairly treated since he stepped into hunter chases. However, he does not appear to be totally in love with the game and, as he has refused to race in the past, punters will always be taking a chance where he is concerned. Therefore, we prefer to go with Forever Eyesofblue, whose recent form looks the strongest on offer and, as he can virtually be guaranteed to give his all, the Andrew Parker-trained 10-year-old appears the most reliable option.
Finest of Men 2-1 (12-0) Effort 15th; led app 2 out until headed last; no extra, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Granoski Gala (11-7) at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Kausse de Thaix (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, challenged 11th, weakened after 13th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Scots Grey (12-2) at Newbury 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar, 13 ran.
Forever Eyesofblue 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, every chance next, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Ice Crystal (11-5) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Mar.
Lothian Rising 7-2 (12-5) Prominent; led 3 out; stayed on well, won at Overton 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Old Rolla (12-5) by 1l, 9 ran.
Natural (IRE) 10-1 (12-5) Prominent until weakened after 14th, 6th of 11, 33l behind Pontius (12-5) at Overton 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Shanteen Lass (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up; joined leaders 3 out; led last; all out, won at Hutton Rudby 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Sandy Gold (12-5) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Thatlldoya 5-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway 6th to chase leaders, ridden, weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, 22l behind Good Book (11-4) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
