held up in touch, headway to join leaders 10th, lost place after 4 out, weakened 2 out, behind when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, challenged 11th, led narrowly before 3 out, ridden last, kept on under pressure until headed and no extra final 100 yards
mistake 2nd, always behind, lost touch and pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, mistake 6th (water), chased leaders 4 out, driven and outpaced next, weakened from 2 out
made most to before 3 out, weakened from next
chased leaders to 7th, behind from next, no danger after
tracked leaders, reminder 9th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd after next, no chance with leading pair
pressed leader throughout, driven and slightly outpaced between last 2, ridden flat, stayed on under pressure to lead final 100 yards
held up in rear, driven and effort to chase leaders 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, never on terms
CASH MAN loves it here and is taken to return to chasing with a win, while Nile Moon and Just For Men are others for the short-list. Evelyn Slack's gelding has won three of his four races over this trip, two of which have been at this venue, including a game win over hurdles last time. His chase mark is 3lbs higher, but he remains very competitive in this sphere, especially with conditions not a problem, and we will give him the vote. Nile Moon has won twice at Kelso and is best on genuine good ground. He does have enough ability to get involved in this moderate affair, but he has it to prove around this very different racecourse. Just For Men has a soft ground course and distance win to his name, although this was well over two years ago, and he is still 7lbs higher here. Even so, the handicapper is beginning to relent, and if he doesn't win today his next success might not be far away. You write Howard Johnson's runners here off at your peril, but recent efforts leave Bleu Pois with plenty to prove, while Babe Heffron looks handicapped to the hilt. Cash Man is the one for us.
Quicuyo (GER) 9-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th, headway 9th, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on one pace approaching last, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Nedzer's Return (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Cash Man (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Made most, hard pressed from 2 out, ridden after last, held on under pressure flat, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd beating Magical Legend (11-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Bleu Pois (IRE) 15-2 (10-1) Ran in snatches, mid-division, not always fluent, struggling 9th, 7th of 12, 35l behind Federstar (11-6) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Just For Men (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 8th, chased leaders approaching 11th, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 9, 31l behind Treehouse (9-12) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Babe Heffron (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Led until approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before next, in a race won by Whitewater Dash (11-9) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar, 8 ran.
Nelliedonethat (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Mid-division, lost place 10th, behind when pulled up before 15th, in a race won by Reel Charmer (10-8) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Apr, 12 ran.
Nile Moon (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Held up in mid-division, blundered 6th, chased leaders 8th, led 16th, headed after last, one pace, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Top Dressing (11-1) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Ocarina (FR) 4-1 (10-2) Led, not fluent 7th, headed 16th, weakened last, 6th of 10, well behind Top Dressing (11-1) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, keen hold, chased leader 6th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, 22l behind Cash On Friday (10-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
