chased leaders, effort 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up, not fluent 9th, outpaced when hit 11th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
held up in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, eased flat
behind, outpaced 11th, rallied and in touch 2 out, kept on same pace
jumped well, led 5th, made rest, drew clear from 10th, comfortably
in touch, chased winner 3 out until after last, weakened flat
led to 5th, lost place halfway, soon behind
chased leaders to 5th, outpaced 10th, soon behind
in touch, outpaced 4 out, rallied to go 2nd after last, no chance with winner
tracked leader 10th, outpaced 4 out, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no impression
Le Royal is a sporting choice in a tricky handicap where Master Sebastian and Kids Inheritance also have to be respected. Kids Inheritance has a consistent profile and looks sure to run his race again. However, he looks to be weighted to the hilt just now and is vulnerable on these terms. Master Sebastian will be a popular choice when the best of his efforts are taken into account. The ground will not be a problem for him and he is sure to make the rest aware of his presence. However, Le Royal proved that he is no back number when staying on powerfully here a fortnight ago and, considering that he is rated 19lb lower over fences than he is over hurdles, Keith Reveley's charge looks a lively option at the weights.
Kids Inheritance (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Mid-division, smooth headway to lead 4 out, hit 2 out, soon ridden, kept on and headed and no extra last 50 yard, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Alexanderthegreat (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Green Ideal 22-1 (9-10) Held up, mistake 4th, weakened 5 out, 7th of 8, well behind Too Forward (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Oct.
Moor Spirit 7-1 (11-3) Chased leaders until weakened 10th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Key Phil (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Master Sebastian 9-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway to chase winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Ever Present (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Silver Jack (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) With leader, hampered 12th, soon ridden, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 11, 12l behind King Barry (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gs in Apr.
Imperial Dream (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden from 4 out, rallied approaching last and no impression run-in, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Alexanderthegreat (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Le Royal (FR) 7-2jt-fav (11-9) Towards rear, in touch 4 out, ridden and outpaced from next, kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Orki Des Aigles (10-2) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
No Picnic (IRE) 5-2fav (10-1) Led until headed 3rd and stayed prominent, led again 13th, headed next, ridden and soon weakened, 6th of 8, 20l behind Alexanderthegreat (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.