tracked leaders, led 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace under pressure
held up in rear, hampered 2nd, jumped slowly 6th, pushed along 4 out, soon outpaced, kept on one pace after 2 out
towards rear, struggling 4 out, well beaten when fell last
in touch, pushed along 4 out, ridden next, soon one pace
led, mistake 2nd, blundered and headed 2 out, not recover
held up in touch, headway 7th, led approaching last, stayed on strongly
towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
always behind
mid-division, fell 5th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The shortlist contains Fairy Skin Maker, Kimbambo, South Bronx and Kalou, with the vote going to Kimbambo. Kimbambo, a 112-rated winning hurdler at this track last season, rates a big player today for those very reasons, while Fairy Skin Maker achieved a rating of 110 over hurdles last season, and if he transfers that type of ability to the larger obstacles, he would hold solid claims in a run-of-the-mill beginners' chase. Northern Minster could have a fitness edge on many of these and, given that he appeared to be improving towards the spring, is not ruled out of a good run. As a winning hurdler, rated around the 100 mark, South Bronx, who ran pretty well when fourth on his Carlisle chasing debut, could go well, and he was five lengths ahead of Northern Minster in that race. Finally, Kalou is exposed as a 100-rated chaser, which means he can win races but, if some of the others transfer the best of their hurdling form to fences, a place might be the best he can hope for. Of these, we give the vote to Kimbambo.
Fairy Skin Maker (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, smooth headway 3 out, challenged next, every chance last, ridden and no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Simlet (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Mar.
Hollow Flight (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, lost place from 12th, 5th of 9, 43l behind Kidithou (11-3) at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (E) gs in Mar.
Kimbambo (FR) 10-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Rob Leach (10-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Feb.
Lion Guest (IRE) 18-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching next, 7th of 12, 33l behind Penteli (9-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Northern Minster 3-1fav (11-7) In touch, effort and every chance 4 out, not fluent next, mistake 2 out, soon no impression, 5th of 9, 16l behind Pass Me By (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (E) gf.
South Bronx (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 9th to next, driven and outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 11l behind Pass Me By (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (E) gf.
Corbie Abbey (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders to halfway, 11th of 14, well behind Bogus Dreams (11-12) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in May.
Kalou (GER) 8-1 (10-9) Held up, headway to track leaders 6th, ridden 3 out, chased winner last, kept on, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Cyborg De Sou (10-7) at Perth 2m nov chs (D) gd in Sept.
