led to 8th, led again 12th to 13th, one pace from 3 out
towards rear, lost touch halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
tracked leaders, headway to lead 13th, drew clear flat
always behind
tracked leader, led 8th, mistake and reminder 12th, outpaced 4 out
mid-division, outpaced 11th
Sands Rising was good value for his win at Carlisle last month but a 5lb rise for that success and the longer trip here leaves the 10-year-old with more to do so he looks worth taking on with preference for Silver Jack, who gets the vote ahead of Kadount. The last mentioned is hard to back on recent evidence but Len Lungo's horses are in better form now and the gelding has slipped to a winning mark. Locksmith has similarly slipped to a fair mark but has given little cause for optimism of late and of more interest may be Richard Guest's Shannon's Pride, although he may be a shade high in the weights. The vote then goes to Silver Jack, who should have no problems with the ground and looks to be going the right way.
Locksmith 33-1 (11-9) Led until headed 3rd and stayed in touch, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on one pace from next, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Bogus Dreams (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Kadount (FR) 40-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 8th of 15, 15l behind Bogus Dreams (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Silver Jack (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Close up, led 7th, headed approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, chased winner last, no impression, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Classic Capers (11-5) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Sands Rising 12-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 5 out, effort 2 out, led flat, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Cloudmor (10-9) by a nk, 7 ran.
Shannon's Pride (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Chased winner, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 12, 32l behind Whereareyounow (10-7) at Kelso 2m 6f amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Posh Stick 11-2 (10-6) Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Loulou Nivernais (10-8) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.