led, headed 3rd, remained prominent, not fluent 5th, ready to challange 4 out, weakened next
held up, weakened after 4 out
in touch, headway 4 out, led next, ridden out, comfortably
held up, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on under pressure flat
tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, stayed on
tracked leader, jumped slowly and lost place 3rd, headway after 5th, jumped slowly next, soon weakened
Snob Wells can take this opener at the expense of Kingscourt lad and Who Cares Wins. The John Harris trained nine-year-old showed the benefit of his seasonal return when finishing an excellent second behind Wages at Market Rasen recently. There could be plenty more to come and he looks the one to beat. Kingscourt Lad is turning into a very frustrating character, but does hold solid claims on the pick of his recent runs. Who Cares Wins didn't do too badly on his return and could be on a pretty decent mark at the moment. Trackattack is another to consider for the places in a trappy looking affair, but our idea of the winner is Snob Wells.
Island Warrior (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) In touch, not fluent 7th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, 20l behind Lupin (11-10) at Worcester 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gf.
Kingscourt Lad (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway 5th, led 3 out, headed next, ridden and one pace approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 9l behind Charlie Tango (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Snob Wells (IRE) 10-3 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to chase winner after last, no impression, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Wages (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gs.
Who Cares Wins 20-1 (10-9) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, every chance 2 out, one pace flat, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Lupin (11-10) at Worcester 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gf.
Trackattack 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leader to 3rd, outpaced when hit 3 out, no danger after, 5th of 14, 30l behind New Wish (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Strathtay 33-1 (11-6) Mid-division on inside, lost place 3rd, soon struggling, never dangerous, 6th of 14, 38l behind New Wish (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Flemingstone (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Held up when fell in race won by Balmoral Queen (11-1) at Cartmel 2m 6f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gf, 12 ran.