led to 9th, tracked leader, lost place 13th, soon outpaced, weakened 3 out, tailed off
with leader, led 9th to 14th, lost place 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
held up in touch, driven to chase leaders 3 out, went 3rd next, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat, no impression
held up behind when fell 13th
behind, pushed along 7th, reminders 10th, soon struggling, lost touch and pulled up before 13th
tracked leaders, led when hit 14th, driven between last 2, joined last, soon headed and ridden, kept on, no chance with winner flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, challenged last, soon led, driven clear flat, eased near finish, comfortably
Marleybow is a fair sort on his day but is hardly reliable so it may pay to side with either Paddys Unyoke or BENE LAD who gets our vote. Jim Goldie's charge receives weight from all of his rivals having been raised by just 4lbs for a narrow success at Carlisle over two miles where the stiff finish played to his strengths. He does face a steep hike in distance but has plenty of form to his name at around this distance at this track so there's little to worry about on that score. He's unexposed over fences and looks capable of following up. Marleybow has three victories to his name and has looked impressive on each occasion but he's rarely run with credit on his other outings and is difficult to catch right. Paddys Unyoke ran one of his better races last time and looks well worth another try at this trip with Waterski and Seven Is Lucky also well worth considering but Bene Lad gets the nod.
Marleybow (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Prominent, blundered 6th, driven and outpaced approaching 4 out, soon beaten, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Rory Boy (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Primrose Time 4-1 (10-7) In rear, jumped right from 3rd, struggling 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Raysrock (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Waterski 7-1 (11-0) Held up, towards rear, reminders after 4th, pushed along after 10th, went poor 4th after 5 out, 4th of 7, 30l behind Fiftyfive Degrees (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Seven Is Lucky (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Behind most of way, tailed off, 7th of 12, 29l behind Teerie Express (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Grand Union (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway 7th, mistake 9th, bumped 4 out, disputing 5 lenghts 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Award Winner (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 9 ran.
Paddys Unyoke (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) With leader until mistake and reminder 2nd, in touch, blundered 8th, 5th and outpaced when hit 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure flat to go 2nd post, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Raysrock (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Bene Lad (IRE) 9-4 (10-7) Led, headed and not fluent 5th, ridden and not fluent 3 out, rallied last, stayed on to lead post, won at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd beating Shelomoh (11-12) by shd, 8 ran.
