chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
held up mid-division, struggling from 6th
prominent, hampered 1st, chased leader, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, weakened 2 out
always towards rear
held up, went prominent 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on towards finish, just held
held up, some headway 7th, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, hampered 1st, headway 4th, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, edged left run-in, just held on
chased leaders, weakened from 4 out
behind when fell 2nd
Lease Lend looks the best of these and can defy a penalty to score again from Cool Operator, Watch My Back and Osolomio. The selection won a Wetherby novices' contest last month under similar conditions and has already shown that he can act over this longer trip. With proven form on the racecourse he is taken to score. Cool Operator will surely improve for a solitary bumper outing at Aintree in October for this, his hurdling debut and the market will help us a little with his chance. Watch My Back won a Kelso bumper last year and is gradually getting the hang of hurdling, but will need to improve a fair bit to win this, while Osolomio, rarted in the 80s on the flat, makes his debut over timber and should be suited by trip and ground, so is very much respected, but Lease Lend gets the nod.
Lease Lend 15-8fav (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led and mistake last, all out, won at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Sea Venture (10-12) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Benny The Bus 8-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Sedge (9-5) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct (Flat).
Habanus Livius (IRE) 200-1 (10-9) Led until saddle slipped, headed after 2nd and pulled up at the 4th in race won by Kingscourt Lad (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf, 17 ran.
Indian Storm (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, 14th of 16, well behind Marleybow (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Indonesia 7-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 17, 30l behind Kingscourt Lad (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf.
Luce Bay 12-1 (11-2) Tracked clear leader, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 31l behind Still At Lunch (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Nov.
My Arch 50-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, outpaced approaching 3 out, 9th of 18, 25l behind Sir Monty (11-5) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Paddymcgintysgoat (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 11, well behind Tot O'Whiskey (11-5) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Tsaroxy (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, outpaced from 3 out, 7th of 10, 27l behind Quicuyo (11-5) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) hvy.
Watch My Back 5-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, one pace from next, 5th of 14, 12l behind Along The Nile (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Globe Trekker (USA) 50-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 13, 15l behind Caustic Wit (8-13) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Aug '06 (Flat).
Time To Act 100-1 (10-2) Behind, never on terms, 6th of 15, well behind Bennynthejets (10-11) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Ambit 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Bennynthejets (10-11) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Cool Operator 5-2fav (11-0) Soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong, 10th of 18, 22l behind Silly Wupple (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in Oct.
Osolomio (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Dzesmin (9-3) at Catterick 1m 4f hcap (3) gd in Sept (Flat).
Snowy Day (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway after 3 out, weakened before next, 10th of 16, 43l behind Silver By Nature (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.
