tracked leaders, blundered and lost place 3rd, no danger after
soon behind, blundered 6th, never dangerous
held up in touch, fell 7th
badly hampered and lost touch 1st, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider 6th
made all, ridden after last, stayed on well
held up in touch, outpaced 8th, rallied and prominent 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leader to 7th, ridden and outpaced 2 out, soon beaten
It can pay to forgive Rasharrow's debut over fences, as his rider was left with no choice but to pull him up after encountering problems with his tack; Altay and The Dukes Speech are fancied to make this a good test. The Dukes Speech may have been in need of the run when he was brushed aside by Tidal Bay 11 days ago, but can be expected to be sharper for the outing. The Tom Tate-trained gelding should handle the going and a bold bid cannot be ruled out. Altay progressed well over hurdles last season and is suited by a good test. He was far from disgraced behind Percussionist at Wetherby last month and is expected to at least make the frame. However, the presence of race-fit Rasharrow makes this a tough ask for the rest and, assuming that Keith Mercer can get the gelding into a nice rhythm at an early stage, this unexposed gelding is expected to take the beating today.
Altay 15-2 (11-6) Held up, left 3rd 5 out, ridden to chase winner from 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 19l behind Percussionist (11-6) at Wetherby 2m nov chs (4) sft in Oct.
Birdwatch 11-1 (11-4) Led 4th, weakened after 7th, 5th of 8, 48l behind Extra Smooth (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Mar.
Bodkin Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch until halfway, 4th of 6, 33l behind Kilmackilloge (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd.
Kalic d'Alm (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 4th when fell at the 3rd in race won by Kilmackilloge (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd, 6 ran.
Lost Property (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, ridden from next, soon weakened, 9th of 14, well behind The Whisperer (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Rasharrow (IRE) 4-5fav (11-6) Close up, chased winner 6th until saddle slipped and pulled up at the 7th in race won by Aces Four (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd, 5 ran.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) In touch, outpaced 6th, no impression after, 6th of 10, 18l behind Tidal Fury (10-7) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) sft.
Orang Outan (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Singhalongtasveer (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
