jumped badly right and numerous mistakes, led and soon clear, reduced lead when went badly right 4 out, headed well before 2 out and weakened quickly
raced widest of all, tracked leaders in 4th, headway to 2nd 4 out, challenged next, led on outside approaching 2 out, stayed on well (no official time taken)
chased leaders, 2nd on inside and every chance 2 out, dropped to 3rd soon after and lost 3rd final stride
chased clear leader until dropped to rear after 3 out, tailed off
close-up in 5th, steady headway from 3 out, 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner when ridden and hung left flat, kept on for clear 2nd
held up in rear, steady headway after 3 out, stayed on into modest 1st last stride, no chance with front pair
A good race decimated by the vagaries of the going so SPEAR THISTLE can make the opportunity to his favour with Elk Trail and Magic Sky others to make the shortlist. The selection has proven form with plenty of give underfoot and having had two recent races, we can be sure that he does not lack for match fitness. Elk Trail has had a couple of outings on the flat prior to this reappearance over hurdles. He looked useful in two previous outings over hurdles. Magic Sky looks incredibly well treated in relation to his chasing form. Having campaigned for big races such as the Castleford Chase in the past off marks in the 140's; today he will try his hand off 115. Rileyev has a bit to prove having let down his backers at Plumpton. Just Beware and Lemon Silk seem hard to fancy at present. Spear Thistle has all conditions to suit today and we will seek not to oppose.
Elk Trail (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Pulled hard, held up, hit 1st, headway after 3rd, ridden after 3f out, weakening when mistake 2f out, 4th of 12, 13l behind Valento (10-7) at Warwick 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Spear Thistle 11-4 (11-0) With leader, led after 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, 3 lengths down and no extra last, held on for 2nd flat, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Overstrand (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Magic Sky (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 6th, pushed along after 8th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching last, last of 6, 12l behind Warpath (11-4) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in May '08.
Rileyev (FR) 10-11fav (11-0) Led, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 9l behind Champtho (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Just Beware 20-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, hit 3 out, soon driven along, headway on outside and every chance 2 out, ridden and not quicken from last, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Stratford Stroller (11-5) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Lemon Silk (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakening when not much room and fell 2 out, in a race won by Ready To Crown (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd, 16 ran.
