held up, effort 10th, no impression from next
held up, brought down 9th
held up in rear, headway approaching 9th, ridden, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, ridden after 8th, lost place from next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, hit 6th, in 2nd when stumbled badly, rider lost iron 4 out, not recover
prominent, hampered 4 out, one pace from last
in rear, ridden, headway approaching 4 out, one pace, no impression from last
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, fell heavily 9th
led, ridden, headed 2 out, kept on same pace from next, no chance with winner
chased leaders, led 2 out, clear after last, ridden out
held up towards rear, reminders approaching 7th, headway approaching 9th, blundered last, soon weakened
in touch, behind when badly hampered 9th, never dangerous
A chance is taken with Flahive's First, with Silver Dagger rated more of a threat than Scotmail Lad as the best of the rest. Scotmail Lad, like the selection, is now approaching the veteran stage and it is hard to envisage too much improvement from him the age of twelve. He is consistent though and should again run his race. Silver Dagger was outclassed behind Monet's Garden the last time he raced here. He is better assessed on his penultimate start, when he bolted up in a weak handicap at Market Rasen. This is not much tougher and he should be capable of going close. Herecomestanley is another worth noting in the betting but he is not without his quirks, so is not one to be jumping overboard with today. However, Flahive's First makes the most appeal as a sporting option in a race where not many stand out as being reliable betting propositions. Flahive's First has won nine of his previous outings; but has hit the frame on 34 other occasions. The twelve-year-old may not have the legs of a model, but he has the heart of a lion and is one that we can rely on to give his all right down to the line.
Move Over (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, hampered 2nd, weakened 4 out, behind when blundered 2 out, 6th of 12, well behind Darina's Boy (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Chevalier Errant (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 10th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Search And Destroy (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Apr '04.
Native Heights (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Behind, struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Master Papa (10-9) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Herecomestanley 5-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 13th, ridden to lead next, soon clear, slipped and headed 15th, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Kausse de Thaix (11-7) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Scotmail Lad (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up, steady headway after 4 out, ridden after next, stayed on well from last, took 3rd close home, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Silver Dagger (9-13) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
Native Eire (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 21l behind Uneven Line (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
Silver Dagger 4-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, hit next, stayed on flat, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Incorporation (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Pavey Ark (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Towards rear, reminders 5th, headway halfway, outpaced after 4 out, kept on run-in, 4th of 10, 10l behind Upswing (11-1) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
