towards rear, pushed along and headway approaching 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, chance last, one pace flat
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, no extra from 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along and lost place 4 out, no danger after
disputed lead until led approaching 2 out, raced alone far rail and stayed on strongly flat
disputed lead until ridden and one pace approaching 2 out
in touch to halfway, soon outpaced
towards rear, 8th and behind when fell 2 out
Ferdy Murphy has his string in good form at present so there may well be more to come from his French import Kalmo Bay, who was pulled up on his British debut, but a safer bet looks to be Player with Carrietau rated the best of the rest. The selection has shown a consistent level of form in three starts so far, all under testing conditions, and he looks worth a bet in receipt of weight from his main rivals. Solitary Palm has more to do than when landing a maiden hurdle at Hexham now that he has a 7lb penalty to carry for that success, while Sue Smith's Spare Me has shown promise in bumpers but lacks any hurdling experience and may be best watched. Carrietau is a consistent performer and is entitled to respect but is another that may struggle to give weight away to Player, who gets the vote to open his account.
Carrietau 8-1 (11-12) Towards rear, ridden and headway to track leaders, approaching 3 out, one pace from next, left poor 2nd last, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Patavium (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Kalmo Bay (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Stainley (11-0) at Kelso 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, headway between last 2, ridden to lead soon after last, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb beating Flying Doctor (10-7) by 7l, 7 ran.
Player (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Led to last, ridden, one pace flat, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Solitary Palm (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Seeking Straight (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) In touch to halfway, 10th of 11, well behind Stainley (11-0) at Kelso 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Soubriquet (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, mistake 2 out, every chance run-in, stayed on, 2nd of 11, nk behind English City (10-12) at Kelso 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Spare Me 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 15l behind Lease Lend (11-5) at Haydock 1m 5f 4yo nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Millie The Filly 14-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, led 4th, headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 11, 10l behind English City (10-12) at Kelso 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Queen of Diamonds (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Held up, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 36l behind Solitary Palm (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
