in touch, not fluent, weakened 3 out
mistakes, chased leaders, effort 3 out, one pace next
led, headed when mistake last, one pace under pressure
towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 8th
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chasing leaders 2 out, no extra approaching last
mid-division, headway 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on well
chased leaders to 2 out
towards rear, headway 4 out, outpaced 2 out, one pace run-in
Kalmo Bay can defy an eight pounds rise in the weights to win again at the expense of Finland and Leac An Scail. The selection was in good form over course and distance last time out when getting his head in front of Moor Spirt. The increase in the ratings will mean life from now on will be tougher but with the yard in such good form and with further improvement still to come we feel he is the one to stay on the right side of. Finland looks to have a fair handicap mark on his handicap chase debut. He was in winning form at Newcastle on his second start over fences and will again thrive on confidence after a good dispaly of jumping. While Leac An Scail got off the mark over hurdles at Newcastle last time out and now reverts back to the bigger obstacles. Sue Smith has her team in good order so he is one to note but for the winner we return to Kalmo Bay.
Finland (UAE) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, hit 11th, challenged next, led before 4 out, clear when hit last, easily, won at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf beating Sticky End (11-2) by 20l, 4 ran.
Scrappie (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon struggling, 4th of 9, well behind Amstecos (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Kirkside Pleasure (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Always behind, 12th of 13, 31l behind Top Dressing (11-8) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Held up behind, headway 4 out, led next, ridden last, stayed on well flat, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf beating Patavium (11-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
The Ring (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, 6th of 7, 45l behind Glingerbank (11-1) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd.
Kalmo Bay (FR) 17-2 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway to track leaders 4 out, lost place next, rallied between last 2, led flat, kept on, won at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating Moor Spirit (11-3) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Just For Men (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, every chance 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 19l behind Zimbabwe (9-11) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Classic Harry 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, never better, 6th of 13, 7l behind Top Dressing (11-8) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Dawn Ride (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Always behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by Wee Bertie (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct, 18 ran.