chased leaders on outside, reminders after 8th, weakening when mistake 4 out
tracked leader, lost place 5 out, one pace next, weakened from 2 out
behind, struggling 8th, weakened and behind from 4 out, tailed off
behind, reminders after 4th, lost touch when pulled up before 7th
reluctant to line up, reared and left at start, hit 1st, always detatched in rear, went remote 5th 3 out
led, not fluent 4th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, 4 lengths down and held when mistake next, kept on same pace
tracked leaders on inside, outpaced in 3rd when switched outside approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression
raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd 5 out, poised to challenge next, led 3 out, 6 lengths clear when hit last, stayed on well
LE BACARDY was in superb form in the spring with three victories culminating in a Listed contest at Ayr where Valco De Touzaine was struggling when coming to grief. He will be at peak fitness now after two recent runs and is handed the vote. Oyster Shell landed a novices' event here last November but is still 8lb higher despite not having won since. Arkaim deserves this step-up in class after completing a double and he's now won five of his eight starts over fences. Sir Valentino was just over 2l behind him here last month and is 6lb better off. He made a couple of errors which unsettled him and with a better round of jumping can take his revenge.
Valco De Touzaine (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, ridden before and mistake when in 3rd 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 4, 21l behind Third Intention (11-7) at Haydock 2m grad ch (2) sft in Nov.
Notarfbad (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, behind from 11th, 8th of 9, 28l behind Ultragold (10-8) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs.
Le Bacardy (FR) 10-3 (11-8) In rear and in touch, outpaced before 5 out, every chance 2 out, kept on and well held by winner, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Stagecoach Pearl (10-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft.
Swift Arrow (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Held up, ridden 3 out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 8, 35l behind Rockawango (10-6) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Nov.
Oyster Shell 14-1 (11-10) Well away, tracked leaders, went 2nd after 9th, no chance with winner from 2 out, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Vivaccio (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Arkaim 8-1 (11-1) Made virtually all, went right and dived at 4 out, strongly pressed next, jumped right and very awkward 2 out, stayed on well, in command towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov beating Sir Valentino (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sir Valentino (FR) 11-4 (11-3) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, hit 7th, challenged 3 out until flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Arkaim (11-1) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Gardefort (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Held up, headway 8th, chased leaders next, weakening when left in 3rd 4 out, beaten next, 6th of 9, well behind Stonethrower (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
