mid-division, headway 13th, effort 3 out, kept on one pace from next
led, blundered 9th, headed next, weakened from 12th
mid-division, ridden and blundered 13th, no danger after
tracked leader, led approaching 10th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
tracked leaders, blundered 5th, outpaced 14th, no impression from 2 out
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, drew clear from next
tracked leaders, outpaced 13th, stayed on from 2 out, not reach leaders
held up, effort under pressure 4 out, soon driven and weakened
held up, always towards rear
in rear, blundered 7th, pulled up before 11th
tracked leaders, outpaced 12th, no danger after
The offer of a valuable prize has procured a good turn out and ROYAL MACKINTOSH could be the one to walk away with the spoils. The Whisperer and Rimsky are amongst the dangers in a field where none can boast stand out credentials. If the forecast rain were to arrive then that would certainly aid the chances of Alan Mactaggart's gelding as his best form has come with cut in the ground but he doesn't need it to be really deep to be effective. His three victories have all been achieved at this track and he can be forgiven a poor show on his latest start as the run came too soon on the back of a hard race. He's been freshened up and this progressive stayer should give a good account. The Whisperer is well regarded by his trainer and is unexposed but can't be viewed as a reliable proposition whilst Bannister Lane is probably high enough in the weights following some decent efforts. Noir Et Vert enters calculations if you forget his run at Doncaster which it's probably best to do and the handicapper has given him a real chance. Rimsky has possibilities but his recent form hasn't been that encouraging, it's been a long time since Crozan won a race whilst Open De L'Isle has yet to prove that he has sufficient reserves of stamina. An open race which can go the way of Royal Mackintosh providing that the rain arrives.
The Whisperer (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up behind, lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Daldini (10-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Bannister Lane 3-1 (12-2) Chased winner, closed up 13th, 6 lengths down in 2nd and going okay when fell 17th, in a race won by Oakfield Legend (11-7) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar, 8 ran.
Noir Et Vert (FR) 4-1fav (10-0) Held up in touch, led 13th, headed 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 27l behind Out The Black (10-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gf in Feb.
Rimsky (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up toward, held up towards rear, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and hit 2 out, driven and kept on flat, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Mister Apple's (9-9) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Mill Side 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division, blundered 13th and 3 out, ridden and weakened from approaching last, 5th of 9, 26l behind Chief Dan George (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov stks (2) gd in Mar.
Antonius Caesar (FR) 5-1fav (10-7) Rear, hit 7th, headway to chase leaders 13th, ridden and blundered 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 11, 9l behind Lyes Green (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Crozan (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 8th, left moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 44l behind Ela Re (10-13) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Open de L'Isle (FR) 13-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar beating Manadam (11-10) by 8l, 11 ran.
Bafana Boy 40-1 (10-1) In touch, blundered 1st, lost places, beaten when mistake 9th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Miss Mitch (10-5) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan, 17 ran.
Just For Men (IRE) 7-2fav (10-7) Held up, mistake 10th, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 50l behind Akilak (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
Royal Mackintosh 10-3fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, blundered 13th, ridden 5 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 14l behind Overlady (9-12) at Carlisle 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Money Order (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Held up and behind, hampered and unseated rider 8th, in a race won by Mr Boo (10-0) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
