always behind
towards rear, pushed along 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
mid-division, headway under pressure after 3 out, stayed on well under pressure flat to lead near finish
towards rear, never dangerous
led, ridden last, headed towards finish
held up in rear, blundered 3rd, headway and prominent 4 out, weakened next
close up, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out, beaten when blundered badly last
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, dropped to rear 4th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, outpaced halfway
tracked leaders, reminders halfway, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
in touch, effort 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out
in touch, headway approaching, one pace from 2 out
in touch, weakened approaching 4 out
always behind
towards rear, struggling halfway, pulled up before last
A tough race to call her for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Etched In Stone,Quality Control and Skipping Chapel and the narrow vote is given to Etched In Stone. The selection ran well after a long absence when second behind Storymaker last time out he looks sure to have come on for the run and off what remains a lenient mark under conditions that suit he will be hard to beat. Quality Control rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Battle Stations and he could even improve again for this slightly longer trip. Skipping Chapel was a fair second behind Frank Crow last time and if the fitting of a first time tongue tie improves him he would have definite place claims. Totally Scottish is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he now looks weighted to the hilt. Nicozetto's best form is over a shorter trip while Snake Charmer best form is on a faster surface and for the winner we return to the unexposed Etched In Stone.
Piraeus (NZ) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division outside, lost place and reminders 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Top Cloud (11-7) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb '07, 15 ran.
Totally Scottish 8-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 5th of 14, 23l behind Tartan Snow (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Quality Control (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, driven to lead after 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Battle Stations (11-4) by 8l, 11 ran.
Skipping Chapel 10-1 (10-12) Prominent, every chance last, kept on flat, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Frank Crow (11-3) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Etched In Stone (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (10-4) Led, headed 3 out, soon outpaced, regained lead last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Storymaker (10-8) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Nicozetto (FR) 7-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, never on terms, 3rd of 10, 30l behind McGruders Cross (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Snake Charmer 11-2 (11-8) Tracked leader, lost place 4th, effort 4 out, one pace after, 4th of 9, 16l behind Trigger Guard (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Carrietau 8-1 (11-0) Held up, chased leaders 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 7, 30l behind Overserved (11-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Beau Saddler 9-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, headway to dispute lead approaching when fell 3 out in race won by Tartan Snow (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Kirkside Pleasure (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) In touch when fell at the 4th in race won by The Whisperer (11-0) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (2) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
Versus (GER) 100-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders until ridden and lost place 7th, behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Tartan Snow (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Mid-division, headaway 7th, ridden and outpaced next, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 19l behind Mensio (10-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Sybarite Chief (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, weakened from 4 out, 14th of 16, 44l behind Polly Whitefoot (10-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Wise Choice 40-1 (10-12) Towards rear, one pace 2 out, 3rd of 9, 24l behind Prince Linamix (10-10) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Dantor 25-1 (11-2) Prominent until lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Master Builder (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
Thenford Sir (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 14, well behind Mensio (10-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Crackleando 22-1 (11-6) Held up, weakened from 7th, 10th of 19, 41l behind Dalawan (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb.
Paddy The Piper (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, led 4 out, headed after next, weakening when hit 2 out, beaten when hit last, 3rd of 12, 17l behind Irish Wolf (11-11) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct '06.
