mid-division, pushed along when mistake 11th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up before next
always behind, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2 out, kept on one pace flat, no impression
mistake 1st, tracked leaders, challenged 10th, led 13th, drew clear approaching last, ridden and stayed on strongly
led to 2nd, tracked leader, mistake 10th, challenged 3 out, ridden and outpaced apporoaching last, no chance with winner
in touch, led and hit 2nd, headed 13th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
mid-division when fell 7th,
behind, mistake 4th, headway and in touch halfway, hit 3 out, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders to halfway, behind from 3 out
behind, blundered 4th, lost touch 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Ikdam Melody, an easy winner of a beginners' chase at Wexford last May, has the class to prevail and is the pick over Mr Mahdlo, Swiftway and Geordies Express to name but three. Most of these have been kept fit between the flags, so that will not be an issue, but the ability to handle the bigger obstacles is paramount, and Ikdam Melody's success last year puts him firmly in with a chance today. Mr Mahdlo was always up with the pace when scoring at Sedgefield recently and can prove to be the main danger, while Swiftway, an easy winner at Musselburgh in February, was an early faller at Ayr last time out and is another that may be in the shake-up. Geordies Express was seventh in this race 12 months ago, and looks held on recent running by Mr Mahdlo. Of the rest, Nisbet is of interest as the race is sponsored by his owner's family, but he will need the ground to dry up to have a chance. For the winner we return to Ikdam Melody.
Nisbet 7-2 Soon chasing winner, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 6, well behind Running Moss at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (H) sft.
Geordies Express 7-2fav Led to 14th, chased leaders until weakened 4 out, beaten when hit 2 out, 4th of 12, 28l behind Mr Mahdlo at Sedgefield 3m 3f hts chs (H) sft in Mar.
Ikdam Melody (IRE) 5-4 2nd of 5, 6l behind Ledgendry Line at Mordon 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Monty's Quest (IRE) 5-1 Towards rear, headway 11th, hit 13th, chased leaders 5 out, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 12, well behind Mr Mahdlo at Sedgefield 3m 3f hts chs (H) sft in Mar.
Mr Mahdlo 9-2 Always prominent, led 14th to 4 out, led again approaching 2 out, ridden clear between last 2, easily, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hts chs (H) sft in Mar beating Involved by 16l, 12 ran.
Swiftway 4-5fav won at Point To Point 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Lord O'All Seasons by 3l, 6 ran.
Chaos Theory 9-4 won at Charm Park 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Marrasit by 6l, 4 ran.
Dr Deductible 20-1 7th of 14, well behind Johnnys Gone at Dalston 3m ptp gd.
French Cedar 33-1 Held up and behind, driven 16th, chased leading pair under pressure briefly 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 40l behind Whitenzo at Sandown 3m amt chs (E) gs in Mar.
Grangewick Flight 6-1 Held up in touch, headway 4 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, headed last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Catch The Perk at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Jun.
Kilcaskin Gold (IRE) 7-2 Chased leaders, mistake and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Running Moss at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (H) sft, 6 ran.
