held up in rear, headway 8th, went 2nd before last, stayed on, no impression on winner
chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace last bend
held up in mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway when went wrong just before 5th and pulled up after hurdle
towards rear, pushed along before 4th, effort when slow 7th, soon struggling, well beaten before 2 out
mid-division, headway before 5th, ridden 2 out, one pace before last bend
tracked leader until 6th, challenged 2 out, soon led, headed on last bend, lost 2nd and stayed on same pace
prominent, pushed along 3rd, every chance 2 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, headway 7th, challenged after 2 out, led on last bend, soon clear, easily
in rear, ridden 4th, behind 8th
held up in mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, never involved
took keen hold, led, pecked slightly 2 out, soon headed, weakened before last
Randy Pike won at Haydock last month and was third on heavy going at Newcastle nine days ago – he has claims if a third run in a short space of time doesn’t prove too much. RYEDALE RACER (NAP) bids for a third course victory and has been lightly raced this term. The going isn’t a problem and he should be capable of going close under regular rider Brian Hughes. Pistol is in decent form while Skywards Reward is on a roll, though will have to defy a penalty to complete his hat-trick. Cape Hideaway won on the Flat last month but is possibly a few pounds too high back over hurdles. Don Lami has only run twice over hurdles and is making his handicap debut but will need to improve on what he’s shown so far.
Only Orsenfoolsies 4-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on, 5th of 9, 25 1/4l behind Elusive Theatre (10-6) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Ryedale Racer 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden over 2f out, kept on run-in, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Mac N Cheese (11-6) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Skywards Reward (IRE) 2-5fav (11-13) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 2 out, every chance when mistake last, rallied to lead flat, ran on, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Apr beating Suggestion (11-7) by 1l, 7 ran.
Don Lami (FR) 11-10fav (11-4) Raced keenly, tracked winner, pushed along after 3 out, already lost 2nd when mistake and outpaced next, plugged on, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Boreham Bill (11-4) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Feb.
Rhymers Stone 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leader until ridden between 3 out/2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 22 1/2l behind Apache Jack (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Cape Hideaway 6-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Mar beating Ted's Brother (10-2) by nk, 11 ran.
Absolutely Dylan (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-7) Chased leaders, pushed along and lost place before 3 out, 7th of 9, 24l behind Randy Pike (10-10) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Randy Pike (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 2nd 4 out, effort 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Grand Morning (11-7) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp (2) hvy in Apr.
Pistol (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders on outside, pushed along to challenge after 3 out, ridden and outpaced on long run before next, no chance with front pair between last 2, 3rd of 5, 16 1/4l behind Eastview Boy (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Apr.
Ten Trees 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders until lost place and dropped to rear 5th, rallied approaching 2 out, 2nd at the last, ridden to lead run-in, driven and headed post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Bonnet's Vino (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Top Cat Henry (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Towards rear, pushed along 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
