with leader, led 3rd, clear 2 out, rider dropped whip and headed flat, no extra towards finish
prominent, outpaced 8th, rallied and closed up 12th, went 2nd when hit 3 out, effort approaching last, stayed on to lead flat
prominent, outpaced 3 out, rallied between last 2, stayed on to go 2nd near finish
prominent until outpaced approaching 3 out
led to 3rd, remained prominent until outpaced approaching 3 out
Sleeping Night has the beating of Lord Who on running at Kelso in February on a soft surface and he is taken to confirm that form and take the honours here, making up for having been brought down in a decent race at Cheltenham last month, with the main danger looking to be Eskimo Jack. The last mentioned has shown improved form in point-to-points of late but has not carried that over in a couple of recent outings in hunter chases. Interdit has his first outing under rules since February but is fit from recent starts in points; however, he needs to improve on recent form to trouble the judge. Winning pointer Finest Of Men gave little cause for optimism in a recent return to rules and it will be a surprise if he is good enough to beat Sleeping Night, who gets a confident vote.
Eskimo Jack (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) In touch, headway 16th to chase leaders, ridden and weakened after 5 out, 5th of 18, well behind Laertes (11-5) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Lord Who (IRE) 11-4 (12-2) Towards rear and not fluent, headway 10th, chased winner from 12th, one pace from 3 out, 2nd of 8, 26l behind Natiain (12-4) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (4) hvy in Apr.
Sleeping Night (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden after 17th, close 4th when unseated rider 4 out in race won by Take The Stand (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Finest of Men 50-1 (11-7) Always behind, lost touch from 13th, 4th of 8, well behind Natiain (12-4) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (4) hvy in Apr.
Interdit (FR) 7-4 (11-0) Prom; 3rd & rdn 15; one-pcd aft, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Narciso (11-0) at Mordon 3m ptp gd in Mar.
