tracked leaders, left in lead 4 out, pressed when blundered last, soon headed, one pace
held up towards rear and mistakes, weakened from 14th, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, led after last, kept on well
in rear, good headway after 2 out, ridden after last, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish
led, fell 4 out
in touch, tracked leaders halfway, went 2nd from 4 out, challenged and mistake last, one pace
Senor Lombardy has run twice over fences, being a beaten favourite here on debut before falling at Kelso. He’s not been seen since finishing a tailed-off last over hurdles at Ayr in January and is probably best watched at present. Tim Vaughan’s South Wales yard has been among the winners this week and TRIXSTER, who won three times over the smaller obstacles last season, looks a likely sort for chasing. He is rated 6lb lower over hurdles than Senor Lombardy but looks the more reliable. Cairnshill possibly doesn’t have the scope of younger rivals but will probably handle the going better than some.
Ard Chros (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, went 2nd after 7th, led just after 2 out, headed approaching last, soon beaten, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Captain Cj (11-0) at Hexham 2m 7f (4) gs in Mar.
Asking For Answers (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakening when blundered badly and unseated rider last, at Ayr 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Buddha Scheme (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Last when not fluent 3rd, struggling after, went remote 4th after 2 out, 4th of 6, 31l behind Floki (10-12) at Kelso 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in May.
Cairnshill (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, switched outside before 3 out, outpaced before next, soon ridden and weakened, last of 7, 31l behind One Night In Milan (11-12) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Senor Lombardy (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) Chased leaders on outside, reminder and dropped to rear before 5th, pushed along and struggling in last pair after 4 out, tailed off, last of 8, 25 3/4l behind Aye Right (10-12) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Trixster (IRE) 5-1fav (11-10) Took keen hold, pressed leader, led 4 out, strongly challenged 2 out, headed after last, no extra closing stages, 4th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Django Django (11-7) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.