in touch when mistake, unseated rider 2nd
in touch, chased leader 6th to 10th, ridden and drifted right after last, kept on under pressure
chased winner to 6th, in touch, outpaced 12th, kept on one pace from 2 out
fell 1st
behind and not jumped well, lost touch 12th, tailed off when ran out 15th
in touch, disputed lead 10th, blundered 12th, lost place 14th, ridden 3 out, weakened after next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, ridden to challenge last, kept on, held towards finish
behind, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace from next
made all, raced keenly, jumped right throughout, ridden last, held on towards finish
Highland Brig, Dun Rose, Starbuck and Old Rolla are shortlisted in this very difficult race to assess, and we will take a chance on Highland Brig. Not many of these have recent form under rules, but the selection did run a gallant race Hexham at last month. The nine-year-old finished just three lengths behind the winner Involved, with the third well beaten off. It wasn't the strongest of races but the selection is lightly raced and looks set to improve. Old Rolla had decent enough form in novice chases last season to warrant plenty of respect here, especially as he represents excellent connections. Starbuck ran well here last time when second to Running Moss and should be vying for some place money again. Meanwhile Dun Rose can go close if in the right frame of mind. So a very tricky contest but Highland Brig looks the safest option.
Barrons Pike 4-5fav 2nd of 13, 1l behind Lord Rex at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Mar.
High Expectations (IRE) 40-1 Always behind, tailed off from 14th, virtually pulled up run-in, 5th of 8, well behind Involved at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (H) sft in Mar.
Highland Brig 9-4jt-fav 3rd of 14, 21l behind Sams Way at Mordon 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Jockie Wells 33-1 Behind from halfway, 6th of 9, 37l behind Great As Gold at Hexham 2m mdn hdl (E) gd in May '03.
Native Alibi (IRE) 5-1 Chased leaders, headway to challenge approaching 3 out, ridden after next, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Nisbet at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (H) gd in Apr '04.
Old Rolla (IRE) 6-4fav won at Point To Point 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Mrs Sherman by 8l, 11 ran.
Starbuck 11-4fav Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, effort after next, one pace flat, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Running Moss at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (H) sft.
Timberley 4-1 2nd of 5, 15l behind Eighty Days at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Dun Rose 5-2 2nd of 10, 11l behind Fortunate Dave at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Briery Hill 5-1 2nd of 14, 5l behind Johnnys Gone at Dalston 3m ptp gd.
Clifford Bay (IRE) 5-4fav fell in race won by Running Mute at Dalston 3m ptp gd, 6 ran.
Lucky Brush (IRE) 9-2 4th of 7, 36l behind Kilcaskin Gold at Alnwick 4m ptp gd in Mar.
