prominent in 4th, outpaced before 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, no impression
in rear, effort in 6th before 5 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, took closer order 3rd, led 10th, headed 12th, one pace
in rear, headway 10th, reminders and weakened before next, tailed off
held up mid-division, outpaced from 12th
held up mid-division, led 12th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, jumped slow and badly last, soon pulled up
close up, challenged and not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, clear last
tracked leaders, lost place before 10th, headway 5 out, chased winner from 2 out, no impression
led to 10th, weakened from next, tailed off
ETXALAR was an easy winner over this track and trip in March and is only 6lb higher so is handed the vote in this tricky handicap despite his big weight. Snuker showed that this trip holds no fears when a staying-on second to Minstalad at Kelso, though that was on very fast ground. Bollin Fiona's last run at Cartmel in May should be ignored as she hated the quick going and these are her conditions. Shoal Bay Dreamer produced her best run for some time at Ayr and, though 3lb out of the handicap and 2lb higher, her regular rider can claim the extra back. Bertie Milan won over 2m5f here in February but has no problems with the longer trip and should get involved.
Etxalar (FR) 5-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 2 out, soon ridden, 3rd last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Rossini's Dancer (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
Bertie Milan (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, hampered 9 out, bumped 6 out, headway 5 out, went 4th before 4 out, 3rd before 2 out, kept on to chase winner towards finish, no impression, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Tutchec (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Camden George (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, lost 2nd and jumped slowly 9th, weakened under pressure soon after, tailed off, 6th of 7, 48l behind Forest Walker (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Trouble In Paris (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Always behind, 6th of 14, well behind Hollow Blue Sky (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Oct.
Bollin Fiona 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 4th, ridden and lost place approaching 10th, not fluent 11th, mistake next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Solway Dornal (9-7) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May, 10 ran.
One For The Boss (IRE) 7-2fav (10-9) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, mistake and lost place 3rd, ridden 11th, not fluent 14th, never in contention, mistake 4 out, went modest 6th when jumped left 2 out, 6th of 10, 16l behind Mr Bachster (9-13) at Ludlow 2m 4f am hcp ch 0-95 (5) gd in Oct.
Snuker 9-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, reminders 11th, outpaced 4 out, kept on from last, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Minstalad (9-11) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf in May.
Shoal Bay Dreamer 15-2 (9-12) Led to 4th, ridden after 5 out, kept on to chase winner run-in, no impression, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Tresor De L'isle (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) sft.
Billsgrey (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place 5th, towards rear and reminders before 9th, soon pulled up 5 out, in a race won by Dingo Bay (10-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.