with leader, led 3rd to 2 out, soon ridden and one pace under pressure
behind, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up after 6th
in touch, headway and effort 3 out, outpaced next
prominent, led 2 out, soon clear, comfortably
Yachvili showed some ability in bumpers, ran one of his better races over hurdles at Down Royal at the beginning of the month and James Lambe's gelding is taken to open his account in this moderate contest, getting the verdict ahead of Norminster and Bayfirth. The last mentioned looked beaten before falling last time on his hurdling debut and is probably best watched on that evidence. Loch Awe ran better at Wetherby last time but has had plenty of chances and she remains a maiden on the flat and over hurdles after 17 career starts. Norminster has yet to win a race after 26 outings under both codes but has shown enough to suggest that he could get involved in a race as weak as this. This should not take much winning though and Yachvili is taken as the selection.
Norminster 16-1 (10-7) In touch, effort 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 14, 23l behind Gray Mountain (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf.
Rucolino (IRE) 40-1 (9-11) Mid-division, lost place and struggling 3 out, weakened after next, 14th of 16, well behind Lindseyfield Lodge (10-12) at Hexham 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Vodka Lobster (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, 14th of 22, well behind Clarified (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Yachvili (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Towards rear, some late headway straight, no danger, 9th of 18, 9l behind Charminamix (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl gf.
Loch Awe 33-1 (9-9) Chased leader, led after 4 out, headed and hit last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Mr Midaz (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Bayfirth (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 4 out, outpaced next, well beaten when fell 2 out in race won by Solway Bee (10-2) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
