with leader and keen, led last, stayed on well
held up in touch, effort 2 out, kept on same pace from last
chased leaders, weakened 2 out, mistake last
held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 7th, weakened after 2 out
led, ridden and headed last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, lost place and dropped to rear 3rd, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next
held up in rear, steady headway approaching 5th, outpaced from 2 out, stayed on from last, no impression
Martin Todhunter's MANOUBI has rather harshly been raised 4lbs for his effort when chasing home Whatdoidowiththat here over three miles last month but he has more solid claims on form than his rivals and gets the vote ahead of Boris The Blade and Cave Hill. The last mentioned disappointed when pulled up at Kempton when last seen in March but Malcolm Jefferson has his string in good form so he has to be respected in a poor contest. Sue Bradburne's Kirkside Pleasure ran better at Kelso last time but just one win from 20 starts tells its own story. Heather Graham's Polobury has given little sign for encouragement so far, while George Moore's Presque Perdre has yet to win a race and has only been placed once in eight starts. Boris The Blade ended last season in good heart with wins at Ayr and here at Hexham prior to running below that form when readily beaten at Towcester. He has claims but has seemingly paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper for those runs. Preference then is for Martin Todhunter's Manoubi, who is taken to gain a deserved success.
Boris The Blade 8-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, mistake 6th, driven after 9th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 15, well behind River Reine (9-11) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Cave Hill (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Led, headed 5th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mister Pink (10-11) at Kempton 3m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar, 13 ran.
Presque Perdre 18-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, driven next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 19l behind Realism (11-3) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Manoubi 10-3 (11-12) In touch, brief effort approaching 3 out, held when left 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Sunny Brook (10-13) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Kirkside Pleasure (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) In touch, out paced approaching 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Box Wallah (11-2) at Kelso 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
August Rose (IRE) 18-1 (10-4) Always behind, lost touch from 6th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Rosie All Over (11-1) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft, 10 ran.
Polobury 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 5 out, 7th of 12, 48l behind Whatdoidowiththat (10-7) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Oct.
Kempski 33-1 (10-6) Led until headed approaching 4 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Twelve Paces (9-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft, 13 ran.
