held up, in touch 3rd, outpaced 2 out, 4th and beaten last
prominent, bumped 3rd, hit 6th, bumped 8th, not fluent 12th, getting outpaced when hit 2 out, soon well held
always prominent, jumped right, bumped into rival 3rd and 8th, led 2 out, driven out
not fluent, held up in last, mistake 4th, reminders after 10th, hampered 12th, headway to go 3rd approaching last, stayed on flat
took keen hold, led, not fluent 13th, hit 14th, headed 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on flat, no impression when hung left towards finish
tracked leaders, fell 12th
held up in touch towards rear, hit 13th, outpaced 2 out, soon well held
Midnight Diamond was a hot favourite at both Chepstow and Towcester last month but is still chasing a first win over fences. This drop in grade could rectify that matter but this won't be easy as Guns And Butter has also shown promise in better company and DEVIL WATER has tumbled down the weights recently. James Ewart's gelding just appeared to find 3m2f too far when third at Carlisle last month but ran better than the final result suggests and is one of the more likely winners of this opener.
Guns And Butter (IRE) 11-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, blundered 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, challenged before last, lost 2nd and weakened run-in, 3rd of 5, 26l behind Zitenka (11-9) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Paddys Unyoke (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders until lost place before 3rd, reminders next, tailed off and pulled up 7th, in a race won by Dark Gentleman (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Devil Water 17-2 (11-1) In touch in rear, headway 14th, pressed winner 4 out until ridden next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 22l behind Teenando (10-7) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Apr.
Stuff Of Dreams 9-1 (11-5) Blundered 1st, in rear, pushed along 8th, soon weakened, tailed off 3 out, 6th of 7, well behind Mad Professor (9-9) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr '10.
Lindseyfield Lodge (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Made most to 7th, tracked leaders, headway to go 2nd after 4 out, challenged and every chance when blundered 2 out, soon ridden, rallied flat, no extra towards finish, last of 4, 2 1/4l behind Bennynthejets (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Appeal Denied (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, not jump well, reminders after 3rd, tailed off from 10th, last of 4, well behind Monsieur Jourdain (10-8) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs (3) gf in Apr.
Panthers Run 28-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway 7th, every chance 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 10th of 17, 38l behind Nicky Tam (10-13) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Apr.
Midnight Diamond (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Held up, reminder after 7th, on and off bridle thereafter, driven after 12th, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on, not trouble front pair, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Jacarado (11-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Apr.
