chased leaders, lost place when blundered 14th, soon beaten
chased winner until fell 14th
in touch, left chasing winner 14th to before 2 out, soon weakened
made all, clear 12th, 12 lengths clear last, soon ridden, tired badly and wandered right final 50 yards, just held on
held up, fell 5th
held up, lost touch 14th, never dangerous
held up, struggling when hit 14th, soon tailed off, virutally pulled up flat
held up, headway 16th, went 2nd before 2 out, 12 lengths down last, soon ridden, stayed on and rider dropped whip final 50 yards, just held
Ever Present can beat Rambling Minster and Ballycassidy, with Alexanderthegreat not one to give up on. Ever Present belied an absence of eight months to score over fences at Carlisle last month, giving the impression that there was a lot more to come. He steps back up in distance here and as that will not be a problem, he should prove hard to peg back. Rambling Minster is at the bottom of the handicap and will have to improve markedly after being well beaten by the selection's illustrious stablemate Monet's Garden on his Carlisle return, while Ballycassidy has yet to impress this term and is paying the penalty for his earlier successes. Alexanderthegtreat was pulled up in the Northumberland National but remains one to keep on the right side of and it would be no surprise if he were to bounce back and figure in the finish. Sue Smith and owner Keith Nicholson have enjoyed plenty of success already over the past few days, but St Matthew is another that needs to improve on what he showed first time back, and we have no hesitation in siding with Ever Present.
