chased leaders, lost place 6th, ridden and outpaced 3 out
tracked leaders, headway 9th, every chance approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
led, headed 3rd, tracked leader to 9th, outpaced when hit 3 out, ridden and stayed on well to lead flat
raced wide, held up, chased leaders after 9th, no impression when mistake 2 out, soon weakened
raced keenly in touch, led 3rd, joined approaching 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat
held up racing keenly, headway 8th, close up 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace
held up, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
held up, headway 8th, joined leader going well 3 out, led next, soon ridden, headed and no extra flat
Nonrunner
Some consistent types in this handicap chase and it is hard to separate them, but Kalou would be a worthy winner and he gets the vote ahead of Midlem Melody and Xaipete. The selection stepped up on previous runs, coming from off the strong pace to take second behind Moment Of Madness, he may improve a little more, and if he gets a fast run run race again he will be hard to beat. Midlem Melody remains on a handy mark after going very close in competitive handicaps at Kelso and Carlisle recently and is sure to be thereabouts again today. Xaipete, as with the other principals, is in very good form at present and wasn't beaten far behind Celtic Legend last time. Meanwhile Mexican could also figure in the finish if returning to his best form. All in all it is another tricky event to sort out, but Kalou has as good a chance as any and is a tentative selection.
Galway Breeze (IRE) 4-1 Held up, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Christopher at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Silk Trader 18-1 Always behind, ridden and weaken 10th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Noisetine at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Jan.
Mighty Fine 5-1 With leader, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 7l behind World Vision at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Jan.
Sands Rising 33-1 Held up, effort 4 out, kept on one pace but no impression from next, 6th of 10, 40l behind Through The Rye at Carlisle 2m nov chs (C) sft in Feb.
Kids Inheritance (IRE) 3-1 Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 23l behind Ghadames at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) sft in Feb.
Xaipete (IRE) 7-2 Held up, headway after 12th, ridden after 4 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 8l behind Celtic Legend at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Jan.
Kalou (GER) 25-1 Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Moment of Madness at Catterick 2m nov chs (E) gs in Feb.
Midlem Melody 9-4 Chased leader, outpaced 4 out, stayed on well flat, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Hollows Mill at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Feb.
