mid-division, outpaced after 13th, kept on one pace from 2 out, no impression on leaders
held up towards rear, headway 14th, led 2 out, soon clear, eased towards finish
track leaders, led 13th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before last
mid-division, headway 11th to chase leaders, weakened 2 out
mid-division, outpaced 13th, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, kept on one pace next
in touch, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace
led to 13th, blundered next, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in rear, blundered 6th, never on terms
towards rear, struggling half way, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, pushed along 13th, soon outpaced
in touch, lost place halfway, behind when mistake 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
An open affair and whilst Kidithou must be respected, the soft ground and his jumping frailties mean that we are happy to take him on with Gee Aker Malayo ahead of Do L'Enfant D'Eau. The selection is very consistent and has run some good races before on ground with some give in. He wouldn't want the heavens to open but he is 2lbs below his highest winning mark and whilst he was held behind Super Revo last time out. The last-named has gone up 9lbs for that win but there may be more improvement to come and he shouldn't be ruled out. Manoubi and Copplestone both have claims on their best form, whilst Do L'Enfant D'Eau catches the eye. He is now 5lbs below his highest winning mark and he loves the ground if the rain comes. Brain Storey's runner does however have slight stamina worries so for that reason we will take him on, and return to the consistent Gee Aker Malayo as the selection.
Do L'Enfant d'Eau (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, gradually weakened, 5th of 11, 17l behind Bafana Boy (11-2) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Manoubi 11-1 (11-9) In touch, headway after 3 out to chase leaders, effort between last 2, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Royal Glen (10-0) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Kidithou (FR) 9-4fav (11-4) Held up in touch, headway 9th, in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Magic Route (9-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Apr, 9 ran.
Ballynure (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Not fluent in midfield, lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Innisfree (9-9) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May, 11 ran.
Gee Aker Malayo (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Prominent, ridden to lead between last 2, headed after last, kept on, 2nd of 19, 6l behind Super Revo (10-3) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Copplestone (IRE) 15-2 (10-2) Led to 7th outpaced approaching 2 out, 4th of 9, 11l behind Royal Glen (10-0) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Super Revo 5-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway when blundered 12th, under pressure afer 2 out, led after last, stayed on strongly, won at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf beating Gee Aker Malayo (11-1) by 6l, 19 ran.
Maringo (FR) 20-1 (10-5) In touch, headway to chase leader 11th, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 19, 13l behind Super Revo (10-3) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
