led to 3rd, remained in touch until outpaced from 3 out
tracked leaders, pushed along 4th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before last
behind, lost touch 5th, pulled up before next
towards rear, headway 5th to track leaders, weakened between last 2, tailed off when pulled up before last
towards rear, struggling from 4th
in touch, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led briefly between last 2, one pace flat
close up, led 3rd, headed briefly between last 2, stayed on strongly flat
mid-division, headway 5th to track leaders, weakened between last 2, tailed off
towards rear, struggling 5th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on one pace approaching last
Blackergreen finally came good over fences when successful at Sedgefield when last seen in June and Sue Smith's gelding has to be of interest back over hurdles on his reappearance but he may be a shade high in the weights and preference is for Etched In Stone, who gets the vote with Cadoudalas rated the pick of the remainder. The selection found one too good in all three starts last term and the Nicky Richards-trained gelding deserves to get his head in front, which he is taken to do despite having been raised 9lbs for his latest effort when a close second behind Boris The Blade here over three miles last time. Stable companion Silver Snitch was going the right way when last seen in December 2006 and could be of interest on his return to action in a handicap for the first time but he seems best watched. Wise Choice was good value for his win at Carlisle last month and has claims but a 9lb rise for that success looks harsh and of more interest may be Malcolm Jefferson's Cadoudalas, who is less exposed than most of these and may step up on recent form with the more testing ground today. Etched In Stone has solid claims though and he is preferred.
Etched In Stone (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Led to 3 out, outpaced next, rallied flat, stayed on well towards finish, just held, 2nd of 10, shd behind Boris The Blade (10-4) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar.
Blackergreen 4-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led 5 out, ridden clear between last 2, stayed on well, eased towards finish, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun beating Ryminster (10-12) by 7l, 10 ran.
Silver Snitch (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Held up, headway when mistake 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec '06 beating Senora Snoopy (10-5) by 2l, 9 ran.
Patsy Bee (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) In touch, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by The Tother One (10-8) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 18 ran.
Darina's Boy 33-1 (11-9) Mid-division, weakened 5 out, 11th of 14, 45l behind Rayshan (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Currahee 28-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, headway to challenge from 4th, hit next and 4 out, ridden and soon weakened, 5th of 6, well behind La Vecchia Scuola (11-1) at Ayr 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Cadoudalas (FR) 5-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, mistake 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace when awkward 2 out, 3rd of 16, 12l behind Peters Star (10-5) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
Mini Minster 10-1 (10-0) Chased leader, weakened 4 out, 7th of 9, 18l behind La Vecchia Scuola (11-12) at Ayr 2m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Wise Choice 14-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden 5th, headway approaching 2 out, led flat, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Apr beating Stravaigin (10-8) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Polobury 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, close-up approaching 2 out, soon ridden, one pace, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Bamby (10-5) at Hexham 2m mrs hcp hdl (4) hvy in Apr.
