in rear and raced wide, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, soon pulled up
led, hit 6 out, headed next, led again after 4 out, headed before 3 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, led 5 out, headed after 4 out, ridden before last, kept on to lead last 150 yards
held up towards rear, detached from 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, weakened after next
towards rear, headway after 4 out, soon in 4th place, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner
held up behind, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, outpaced before 3 out
always towards rear
soon tracked leaders, led before 3 out, headed last 150 yards, kept on same pace and lost 2nd place towards finish
The market should prove the most accurate barometer of the fitness of Mister Grez as he returns from a near 600-day absence. It's tempting to go along with the Skelton inmate but AMI DESBOIS gained a deserved initial success in a modest affair at Hexham late last spring after a series of very respectable efforts in some decent contests, notably when a really good third at 100/1 in Grade 2 company at Doncaster behind Barters Hill. He stays this trip well, is not ground-dependent and looks on a feasible mark for this handicap bow. Island Heights will be all the better for his Carlisle reappearance after a nine-month absence and merits shortlist inclusion, along with recent Kelso winner, Landecker, who looked on the upgrade at the Borders track when obliging with something to spare.
Mister Grez (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 4th, led before 3 out, driven after 2 out, headed and 1 length down when left well clear last, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Apr beating Loch Garman (10-8) by 9l, 14 ran.
Island Heights (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, ridden and kept on under pressure from last, never troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 10 1/2l behind Definitly Red (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Ami Desbois (FR) 4-6fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Hexham 2m 7f mdn (5) gd in May beating Stay In My Heart (10-7) by 11l, 9 ran.
Big Water (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Led to 3 out, weakened after last, 6th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Kelvingrove (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in May.
Courtown Oscar (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off 18th, pulled up before 2 out, at Uttoxeter 4m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
Desert Cry (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up, in touch, pushed along after 8th, chased leaders 4 out (water), outpaced 2 out, weakened after last, last of 6, 19l behind Lord Wishes (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Jun.
The Artful Cobbler 20-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 6th or 7th, struggling 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Landecker (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) In touch and towards rear, went 2nd before 6th, led before 1f out, kept on, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Sevenballs Of Fire (11-12) by 7l, 6 ran.
Boruma (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway on outside 9th, mistake 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Nautical Nitwit (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Sharp Response (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Led, headed narrowly 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, lost place approaching last, no impression with front pair flat, 3rd of 13, 12 1/2l behind Scotchtown (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
