held up towards rear, headway after 5 out, every chance when not fluent last, weakened run in
held up mid-division, ridden along approaching 3 out, stayed on to lead towards finish
chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
led to 8th, weakened approaching 4 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5 out, no extra run in
always towards rear
chased leader, led 8th, kept on, headed towards finish
always behind, tailed off from 6 out, pulled up before 2 out
Stagecoach Diamond is the selection here to get the better of Brave Rebellion and Akilak, while Cantgeton can also go well in what is a decent novices' chase. The Sue Smith-trained selection was good enough to win off a mark of 120 over hurdles and has performed creditably in two starts over fences this term. This trip is ideal and he handles cut well, so he gets the nod. Brave Rebellion may give him most to do. Keith Reveley has his string in good shape and this gelding notched up a hat-trick of novices' hurdle wins in the spring. He acts on most ground, though he does tend to prefer it a bit quicker than this, and he just has a bit to prove after being well behind on his chasing debut. Akilak has been knocking on the door in chases without winning a race of any kind since February 2005. He goes on the ground and another prominent showing is anticipated. Top weight Cantgeton is from a yard bang in form, stays well and handles the ground, so a win would be no shock, but for today preference is for Stagecoach Diamond.
Cantgeton (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden last, one pace flat, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Scribano Eile (10-4) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Akilak (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2 out, stayed on strongly flat, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Euro American (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Mar.
Brave Rebellion 66-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 9, 30l behind Tidal Bay (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs.
King Mak 33-1 (11-8) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 7th of 15, well behind Le Briar Soul (11-1) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gs in Apr.
Minster Shadow 5-1 (11-2) Held up, outpaced after 4th, 5th of 12, 19l behind Carapuce (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
Panthers Run 200-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened from 10th, 7th of 9, well behind Tidal Bay (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs.
Stagecoach Diamond 4-7fav (11-1) Prominent, led after 10th, ridden and headed 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on from last, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Jack The Blaster (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf.
Tipp Mid West (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Soon behind, tailed off from halfway, 5th of 6, well behind Nevertika (11-0) at Hexham 2m nov chs (3) gs.
Our Man In Bangkok 16-1 (11-3) In touch, chased leaders halfway, led 4 out, headed next, weakened last, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Three Mirrors (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Mar.
