pressed leader, not fluent 1st, lost 2nd narrowly 7th, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before next where hampered, tailed off
tracked leaders, not much room 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra flat
held up in last, headway after 3 out, went 4th before next, weakened well before last, tailed off
in touch, lost place 4th, last 6th and niggled along, went 4th approaching last, stayed on flat
in touch on outside, pushed along 7th, 5 lenghts down in 5th and ridden when fell 2 out
led, jumped right 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, soon beaten
tracked leaders going well, went 2nd 7th, led approaching last, ran on well to draw clear flat
James Lambe complicates matters by saddling two runners in this handicap hurdle, Nobetter Buachaill and Yachvili, and both have to be considered given the trainer's fine record with his runners in the UK but a better bet looks to be PADDINGTON BOB, who can follow up his recent Cartmel success. The selection had to work hard for that success and a 7lb rise looks harsh but the six-year-old is improving with each start and any further improvement he will be tough to beat. Patriot won well here last time but that was on fast ground and he has yet to confirm that he is as effective on the softer ground that he will face today. Micky Hammond's Fair Spin has been in good heart on the flat and over hurdles of late but is another that would probably prefer faster going as would another recent course winner, Sparkling Zola, so Paddington Bob looks the one to be on.
Yachvili (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, moderate 7th before 3 out, soon no impression, eased from before straight, 11th of 16, 34l behind Catskill (10-9) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens09 gd.
Patriot (IRE) 9-4 (10-11) Tracked leader, led approaching last, ridden clear and edged left run-in, driven out, won at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in May beating Symphonica (10-7) by 4l, 7 ran.
Nobetter Buachaill (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway after 2 out, stayed on to take 4th flat, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 11l behind Identity Parade (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Sparkling Zola 7-2 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 2 out, led after last, kept on well, won at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May beating Birnies Boy (10-6) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Leith Walk (IRE) 3-1fav (10-2) Towards rear, pushed along 7th, outpaced 3 out, kept on from last, 5th of 8, 11l behind Benmadigan (10-9) at Kelso 2m 2f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gf in May.
Paddington Bob (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway to lead before last, soon hard pressed, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure, held on near finish, won at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May beating Galley Slave (9-7) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Fair Spin 6-1 (10-4) In touch, chased leaders from 2 out, ridden to lead last 100 yards, kept on well, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in May beating King Penda (11-9) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
