tracked leaders, chased winner until tried to refuse 4 out, ridden and kept on one pace
made all, clear with circuit to go, unchallenged
held up, jumped right 2nd, outpaced 5th, jumped badly right 2 out
in touch, ridden to chase winner 3 out, closing when blundered 2 out, recovered to hold on to 2nd
chased winner until 6th, ridden 8th, weakened 3 out, hampered 2 out
SAMIZDAT completed a double over timber in March, both times on good ground, and this looks a relatively simple start to his career over fences despite a fall at Sedgefield last month. Balnagore, who landed a novice hurdle in fast conditions at Kelso last May, is another making his debut over the bigger obstacles and he's likely to be suited. Blackpool Billy has been out of sorts but his stable's resurgence suggests he can do much better while Carrietau has won three times over fences so won't lack for experience.
Blackpool Billy (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Led into start, held up, took keen hold, bumped 2nd, mistake 8th, headway approaching 11th, ridden 4 out, not fluent 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 17l behind Willandrich (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Carrietau 17-2 (11-12) Led, mistake 5th, headed 7th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Duke of Malfi (10-8) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 9 ran.
Samizdat (FR) 9-2 (9-11) Led, hit and headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out, in 4th and well held when fell last, in a race won by Hi Dancer (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Balnagore 16-1 (11-6) Led until 3rd, hampered on bend soon after, lost place when mistake 4th, soon behind, 13th of 14, 50l behind Sheriff Hall (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Frith (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Held up, headway 7th, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and kept on, one pace, 4th of 9, 9l behind Spirit Calling (11-12) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
