tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, led before 3 out, soon headed, led after 2 out, driven flat and headed flat, unable to quicken
led until 1st, led next until 5th, ridden after 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
in rear, closed 7th, mistake next, went 4th approaching 3 out, not fluent and weakened next
in touch, not fluent 2nd, soon lost place, not fluent 4th, jumped slowly next, last before 7th, went 4th 2 out, went 3rd flat, no impression
took keen hold, led 1st until next, led 5th until before 3 out, soon led again, headed after 2 out, weakened last
in touch, went 3rd approaching 3 out, went 2nd before last, soon challenging, driven to lead flat, stayed on well
Emotive has only won once from 23 starts over hurdles so far but ran well behind Shulmin at Cartmel last month so cannot be discounted but Sue Smith looks to have found a decent opportunity for STAGECOACH PEARL to open his account over fences and he can do that with the main danger rated as Red Jester. Gerald Ham's gelding was well held on his reappearance at Uttoxeter last month but he should come on for that run and has to be considered but he could probably do with some help from the handicapper. Ormus has failed to complete in two of his last three starts, while Well Oiled makes very limited appeal on all known form. Keith Reveley's Heavenly Chorus has been running to a consistent level of form of late and should again be thereabouts but it is hard to get away from Stagecoach Pearl, who looks the one they all have to beat. Sue Smith's gelding was twice successful over hurdles and made a pleasing start to his chasing career when chasing home Mutual Friend in a novices' chase at Wetherby last month; he can go one better today.
Stagecoach Pearl 3-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leader early, raced in 3rd after, challenged 4 out, ridden and no impression on winner after 2 out, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Mutual Friend (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov chs (4) gd in May.
Red Jester 6-1 (11-12) With winner until 2nd, stayed 2nd until ridden after 7th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 16l behind Glimmer of Light (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Heavenly Chorus 11-2 (11-5) Towards rear, outpaced before 3 out, kept on from last, 4th of 11, 7l behind Arumun (11-1) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Emotive 11-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, hit 9th, went 5th 2 out, went 3rd after last, closed to chase winner before bend entering home straight, no impression, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Shulmin (10-0) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in May.
Well Oiled (IRE) 4-1 (10-5) In rear, outpaced from 8th, headway 3 out, weakened from next, last of 4, 39l behind Carrietau (11-9) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Ormus 9-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along 8th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Maurisca (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
