held up mid-division, headway 13th, chased leaders next, weakened after 2 out
held up mid-division, smooth headway approaching 4th, chased winner approaching 2 out, stayed on
tracked leaders, jumped slow 8th, hit 13th, weakened 3 out
behind, not fluent 1st, never dangerous
held up in touch, jumped slowly 6th, mistake 2 out, weakening when pulled up before last
led approaching 2nd, headed 4th, weakened before 3 out
held up, behind when refused 12th
always prominent, led 4th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on well
held up, mistake 9th, headway after 11th, blundered next, soon weakened
always prominent, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next
soon led, headed approaching 2nd, in touch until lost place 6th, struggling 11th, behind when pulled up 4 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Gale Star gets a narrow vote over fellow course and distance winner Caribbean Cove, with Reverse Swing, Kercabellec and Ah Yeah all expected to give a good account. There are no less than five course and distance winners in opposition here, and it is Gale Star that we look to as the answer. Owen Brennan's veteran was in fact trained in Ireland until last year, but has not taken long to make his mark on these shores, having scored here in May. He was in need of the run when beaten at Market Rasen three weeks ago, will strip fitter now and is still well treated on form of old. Caribbean Cove has to give weight away all round, while Reverse Swing needs to brush up her jumping on what is only her second start over fences. Kercabellec shaped well here in May, staying on again after cutting out most of the running, and this extra journey will help. Ah Yeah has not run since January and will find the track plenty sharp enough, so we are happy to side with Gale Star.
Caribbean Cove (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Held up, headway approaching 13th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 10, 19l behind Ebony Light (10-9) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs.
Ashwell (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened when fell at the last in race won by Gingerbread House (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gs in Mar '04, 15 ran.
Walcot Lad (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Chased winner until 7th, in touch, ridden after 4 out, 4th and beaten when hit 2 out and unseated rider 2 out in race won by French Direction (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in May, 9 ran.
Gale Star (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) In rear, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 9, well behind Seaniethesmuggler (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd.
Kercabellec (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, 49l behind College City (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs (F) gd.
Ah Yeah (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Mulkev Prince (10-11) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (F) gs in Jan.
Idlewild (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Led to 1st, chased leaders, lost place from 3rd, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Rare Coincidence (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd, 11 ran.
Reverse Swing 4-1 (10-7) Held up, headway when hit 7th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 7, 20l behind College City (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs (F) gd.
Tirley Storm 12-1 (10-0) Held up, effort 12th, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 20l behind Icy Prospect (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
Step In Line (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Prominent, led 5th to 8th, weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Tee-Jay (11-0) at Hexham 3m 1f chs 0-90 (F) gf, 11 ran.
Balla d'Aire (IRE) 9-1 (10-1) Always behind, 8th of 10, 27l behind Jazz Night (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf in Aug.
Syncopated Rhythm (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 41l behind Tomina (11-8) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gs in Apr.
Alpha Romana (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place 10th, tailed off from 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Phildari (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf in Jul.
