chased leaders, 2 lengths down when stumbled badly 3 out, not recover
towards rear, struggling halfway
always behind
held up and keen, headway to chase leaders 5 out, one pace 2 out
led until jumped slow 6th, outpaced 4 out
held up, headway to lead 8th, hit 4 out, headed 2 out, soon beaten
close up, every chance 3 out, weakened after next
close up, led 6th, headed 8th, one pace 2 out
mid-division, effort 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on well
held up, headway to go prominent after 5 out, not fluent last, one pace
always behind
Nonrunner
The Entomologist gets the vote here with Water Taxi and Jack The Blaster rating the main dangers. The selection has shown improved form of late and was a fair second behind Ice Tea last time out. That form sets the standard in the context of this race and under conditions that suit he is taken to win again. Jack The Blaster rates the main danger he was a fair third behind Here's Johnny when last seen. He is sure to have been well schooled for this his chasing debut and with his yard in form he should be watched in the market. Water Taxi is another with place claims but he is often let down by his jumping and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Glingerbank has the scope to make a chaser but disappointed on his debut. However he should strip fitter here. Kentucky Blue is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he has had plenty of chances. Of the remainder Tous Chez was a fair hurdler and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to The Entomologist.
The Entomologist (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th, headway halfway, hit 5 out and next, outpaced 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, well behind Ice Tea (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) gf.
Astyanax (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Behind, lost touch 9th, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 50l behind Karelian (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf.
Ballyhale (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, behind from halfway, tailed off when refused 3 out, continued tailed off, 3rd of 6, well behind Ice Tea (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) gf.
Calculaite 15-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway when hit 3 out, challenged next, ridden and every chance until no extra flat, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Modicum (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in May.
John Forbes 12-1 (11-5) Led after 1st, pushed along, headed 5th, not fluent next, soon struggling, 7th of 12, 20l behind Master Nimbus (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Kentucky Blue (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place 5th, headway 8th, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Rayshan (10-11) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) gd in Apr.
Open de L'Isle (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Towards rear, struggling 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Laouen (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Apr, 13 ran.
Stagecoach Diamond 4-7fav (11-2) Led, hit 6th, headed 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, well behind Dalriath (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gs in May '06.
Tous Chez (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, lost place 9th, 13th of 17, 38l behind Salut Saint Cloud (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Water Taxi 7-1 (11-1) Behind, struggling 6th, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 44l behind Andre Chenier (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (4) gf in Mar.
Cuccinello (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Behind, kept on under pressure from 2 out, never near leaders, 5th of 7, 31l behind Artless (10-10) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
Glingerbank (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway when blundered 4 out, no impression after, 5th of 13, 11l behind The Wicketkeeper (11-4) at Perth 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Sept.
Jack The Blaster 9-1 (11-3) Close up, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, 3rd and beaten when jumped right last, 3rd of 9, 29l behind Here's Johnny (11-6) at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (2) sft in Apr.
