chased leaders, led briefly 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch until ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up in touch, outpaced 2 out, rallied to go 2nd flat, no impression on winner
chased leaders until outpaced 3 out
held up in rear, headway halfway, ridden to chase winner approaching last, no extra flat
led, headed 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
towards rear, weakened after 3 out
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace under pressure
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, led after 2 out, ran on strongly
It is often a flawed approach in sellers but ratings are going to be applied in assessing this race, which means the selection is Beamish Prince ahead of Boris The Spider and Bramantino. Beamish Prince's latest win came at this level and, even though his best recent form would not have been on going as quick as today, he has acted on it in the past and should go well today. Boris The Spider would have to be considered if getting back to his form of a year ago, while Kaky would also have to be considered if getting back to his 2006 French form. The Lightly-raced Temple Wood is a potential improver in this grade for the first time and Bramantino showed up for a long way last time on one of his rare racecourse experiences these days but, overall, Beamish Prince has to be the selection.
Beamish Prince 11-1 (10-11) Mid-division, outpaced 8th, 5th of 11, 26l behind Honest Endeavour (10-5) at Hexham 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Apr.
Boris The Spider 16-1 (11-5) Always behind, tailed off from 4th, pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Lutea (11-6) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Apr, 17 ran.
Bramantino (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden and kept on from 2 out, 6th of 14, 11l behind Blast The Past (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr.
Dark Shadows 33-1 (11-0) Held up and not fluent, pulled up before 7th, tailed off pulled up 5 out in race won by Something Silver (11-7) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Mar, 18 ran.
Dispol Peto 14-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, weakened 4th, 6th of 8, well behind Shares (11-0) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Kaky (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Raced keenly and held up, weakened 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Silver Sedge (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Native Heights (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Held up, pushed along after 4th, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Political Pendant (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Temple Wood 33-1 (10-10) Keen early, in touch, lost place 3rd, no danger after, 6th of 9, 37l behind That's Rhythm (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.