chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 7th
held up towards rear, pushed along 7th, soon weakened
held up mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, pushed along approaching 6th, soon in touch, stayed on from last, no impression
held up in touch, weakened after 3 out,
held up in rear, some headway on inside approaching 2 out, kept on from last, no impression
led, joined 6th, headed on bend after 3 out, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, hit last, kept on
held up towards rear, headway on outer approaching 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
chased leader, took closer order from 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear and keen, headway after 3 out, every chance approaching last, no extra flat
held up towards rear, weakened from 7th
chased leaders, led on bend after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on
held up towards rear, weakened 7th
pulled hard in rear, saddle soon slipped, pulled up before 4th
Caerlaverock and County Colours are clearly interesting but GOOD OLD THYME sets a decent standard and could be hard to beat. The selection has been the very model of consistency since arriving from Ireland despite only having a novice hurdle win to his name. Good Old Thyme has faced some stiff tasks in some competitive handicaps since then and will appreciate the return to novice company whilst his penalty is negated by Giles Hawkins' claim. Caerlaverock won a Wetherby bumper well on debut before going on to show a fair level of form on the level but he's far from certain to be suited by testing conditions on debut for a new yard. County Colours twice ran well here in bumpers and it would be no surprise to see him fare considerably better than he did on his hurdling bow at Doncaster. Twentynineblack is the other runner to merit serious consideration following a good return to action at this course but he could find it difficult to get the better of Good Old Thyme.
Good Old Thyme (IRE) 10-3fav (10-4) In rear, headway approaching 6th, chased winner approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no extra, 5th of 14, 20l behind Honest John (10-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Feb.
Alexander Oats 40-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, lost place over 6f out, 10th of 16, well behind Willie Hall (10-11) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Archie's Wish 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 16, 33l behind Fridaythorpe (11-0) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Arty Farmer 50-1 (10-8) Keen early, mid-division, lost place 4th, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 43l behind Tara Royal (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Caerlaverock (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Held up, chased leaders over 5f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar '09 beating Beside The Fire (10-10) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
County Colours (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, prominent, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 11, well behind La Sarrazine (10-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Finbar Flynn 100-1 (10-12) Held up behind, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 50l behind Robo (10-4) at Southwell 2m 4f cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gd in Dec.
Hard Act (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch until lost place 5th, behind from next, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Be There In Five (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Ibrox (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Led, quickened pace approaching 4th, reminders soon after, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, well behind Bishops Heir (11-4) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Simhal 100-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, well behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-1) at Catterick 2m NH flat (5) gd in Dec '08.
Sirmuhta (FR) 150-1 (11-4) Mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Benny Be Good (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Twentynineblack (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, held up in rear, mistake 2nd, headway on inside approaching 6th, chased winner last, no impression, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Empty Sky (11-9) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Archdale Lady (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Always behind, 10th of 12, well behind Karingreason (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Kris Kin Line (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Mid-division, jumped slowly 2nd, rear when not fluent next, hampered 5th, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Tail Of The Bank (10-13) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Secret Desert 4-1 (8-5) Held up well in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd and edged left well over 1f out, soon no impression, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Extremely So (8-7) at Yarmouth 1m 3f 3yo sll (6) gf in Oct (flat).
Camomile 150-1 (9-12) Towards rear, blundered 5th, beaten when mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Jeronimo Joe (10-7) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb, 16 ran.