tracked leaders, took keen hold, soon tracked leader, led after 4th, headed 2 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on and held towards finish
in rear and in touch, outpaced before 3 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, pressed last, held on well towards finish
led, headed after 4th, outpaced in 3rd before 3 out, no impression
PAIR OF JACKS was trying to give 6lb to previous winner Aye Well when beaten less than three lengths in a handicap at Ayr last time. That's easily the best form in this and he should go one better today on his fourth try over the larger obstacles. Katachenko, Neville Woods and Silk Hall have each only run once over fences so far but none of them showed much. Perhaps the first-named, who has won a point-to-point, has the greater scope but he hasn't raced since November.
Katachenko (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Led, mistake 1st, not fluent 5th, headed 5 out, rallied next, soon weakened, modest 4th, 4th of 7, 34l behind Top Gamble (11-1) at Wetherby 2m nov chs (4) sft in Nov.
Neville Woods 16-1 (10-7) Led, headed when not fluent 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 6, 28l behind Sgt Reckless (11-4) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (4) gs in Apr.
Pair Of Jacks (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Led until narrowly headed 4 out, chased winner, held 2 out, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Aye Well (10-12) at Ayr 2m nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Silk Hall (UAE) 14-1 (11-12) Led, tended to jump left, soon clear, reduced lead from before 8th, attempted to assert from before 3 out, narrowly headed approaching last where got slight bump, back on terms briefly run-in, soon headed and kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Cape Glory (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 4f hdl gf in Jun.
