held up, steady headway after 4 out, ridden after next, stayed on well from last, took 3rd close home
in touch, lost place after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden next, stayed on from last to take 2nd towards finish
chased leader, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, challenged 3 out, every chance last, weakened flat, lost 3rd towards finish
held up in rear, reminders after 5th, soon lost place, pulled up after 7th
tracked leaders, lost place 10th, tailed off
always behind, pulled up quickly after 4th
led, soon clear, hit 8th, headed approaching 3 out, quickly weakened, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, weakened quickly before 3 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, lost place 8th, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching 3 out, driven clear from last
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The short list contains Jacarado, Schoolhouse Walk and Jimmys Duky, with the selection being the first-named horse. Taking it from the top and, much as he has not won for nearly three years, Scotmail Lad has been running okay of late and, being the only course and distance winner in the line-up, his chance cannot be dismissed. Major Belle's preference for testing going gives him a shout, while winning pointer Be Telling is a potential improver from the Barney Curley yard. Brigadier du Bois is always respected at this level, and Schoolhouse Walk, who comes here on the back of a Towcester win, is another with chances given his liking for easy going. Jacarado's overall profile, particularly given that he prefers right-handed tracks, entitles him to serious thought. Extra Cache would hold claims on the best of his form, while Tony Dobbin could be an interesting booking for Peterhouse and Jimmys Duky suggested that he might be running into form again last time, so is another to warrant respect. For the selection, though, in an open race, we will stick with Jacarado.
Scotmail Lad (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) In rear, ridden approaching 5 out, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, never troubled leaders, 5th of 9, 10l behind Rookery Lad (10-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Mikasa (IRE) 15-2 (10-6) Chased leader, ridden and weakened 4 out, 7th of 10, 23l behind Regal Term (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gd in Apr.
Brigadier du Bois (FR) 9-4fav (11-7) In touch, led before 10th, ridden last, just held on, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-88 (5) gs in Jan beating Sitting Duck (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Schoolhouse Walk 7-1 (9-11) Held up, headway 6th, led 3 out, ridden clear 2 out, hung left flat, all out, won at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Shaka's Pearl (11-11) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Jacarado (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Held up, headway to go prominent 8th, chased winner from 12th, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 13, 14l behind Over The Storm (10-13) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Major Belle (FR) 6-1 (10-13) In rear, mistake 4th, reminders, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by The Newsman (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Apr, 10 ran.
Stretching (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Held up; led 9-13 & 14-3 out; sn btn, 3rd of 5, 9l behind The Wee Bishop (11-0) at Brampton Bryan 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Extra Cache (NZ) 17-2 (10-0) In touch, chased winner from 9th, one pace and no impression from 4 out, 2nd of 10, 25l behind Rookery Lad (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Apr.