always in rear, struggling from 9th
led to 5th, led 7th until approaching 3 out, soon weakened under pressure
in touch, headway from 4 out, driven after next, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
close up, went 3rd after 4 out, driven next, no impression and lost 2nd last
chased leaders in 3rd, weakened after 4 out
tracked leader, led 5th to 7th, led 3 out, drew clear from next, eased run-in
jumped right, behind, struggling when mistake 9th, no chance when hit 2 out
Zilcash was the best of these over hurdles and Alan King's gelding gets the nod to score ahead of Grasp and South O' The Border. The selection makes his chasing debut today on ground that looks sure to suit and his stable are in good form. This idiosyncratic track should suit as he was fairly decent on the flat and it may play to his strengths in terms of flat speed, and he therefore receives the vote. Grasp has winning form at this track, but on hurdles ratings he has plenty to find with Zilcash although of course it doesn't always correlate. South O' The Border will appreciate any further rain, and this lightly-raced gelding (over hurdles at least) must be afforded respect with his stable in good nick. Captain Smoothly has claims, especially if building on his confidence boosting win of last time out when romping home at Plumpton. If he translates that to fences then he could get involved, however it is the classy Zilcash who receives the vote.
Captain Smoothy 10-1 (10-7) Raced in 3rd, chased leader 5th, led after 3 out, driven clear between last 2, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Apr beating Sir Harry Ormesher (11-12) by 37l, 3 ran.
El Sueno (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Chased leader, led 10th to 12th, blundered 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up in race won by Oslot (11-3) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Apr, 11 ran.
Grand Silence (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 7th, lost touch from next, not fluent after, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Mahogany Blaze (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
Grasp 6-1 (11-12) Tracked clear leader, headway 7th, under pressure 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Boing Boing (10-1) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
South O'The Border 20-1 (10-12) Behind, headway approaching 2 out, kept on flat, never nearer, 6th of 17, 6l behind Majaales (11-1) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Zilcash 18-1 (11-9) Started slowly, driven along 5th, behind from 7th, 9th of 11, 39l behind Khachaturian (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Miss Colmesnil (FR) 25-1 (9-9) Soon detached and pushed along in rear, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Cash On Friday (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Mar, 7 ran.
