tracked leaders, outpaced from 10th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, weakened flat
led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed last, weakened last 100 yards
soon tracking leader, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakend, pulled up before 3 out
in rear, outpaced 11th, stayed on from last, went 2nd last 100 yards
held up towards rear, went 2nd after 4 out, led last, kept on, driven out
Cash Man is the most consistent but he has stamina issues and so is passed over in favour of CHERNIK for whom the ground will suit; Phoenix Des Mottes may be best of the rest. Micky Hammond's gelding was pulled up in desperate ground at Carlisle earlier in the month but his best form has come on good ground. His mark of 110 looks high enough but he hasn't been over-raced for his age and should run a big race over his ideal trip. Cash Man has been up and down in trip like a yoyo but has never looked like this trip will suit ideally, so a bigger threat may be The Hollow Bottom if the application of blinkers works. He is dropping down the handicap like a stone in water and cannot be ignored. The step up in trip will suit Phoenix Des Mottes who still looks feasibly handicapped, whilst Rusty Red is consistent and is considered off a nice racing weight with Campbell Gillies booked again for the ride. A tightly-knit small field with Chernik selected.
Cash Man (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Close up, led 2 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Et Maintenant (11-12) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Chernik (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, mistake 10th, soon lost place, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Himalayan Trail (11-7) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 16 ran.
The Hollow Bottom 12-1 (11-12) Soon in mid-division, headway after 6th, challenged 10th until ridden next, weakened 3 out, 9th of 12, 33l behind Radetsky March (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Phoenix Des Mottes (FR) 7-4fav (10-8) Tracked clear leader until 11th, soon lost place, rallied to go 4th 2 out, no impression after, 4th of 7, 13l behind Sarahs Gift (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Rusty Red (IRE) 3-1fav (9-13) Mid-division on inside, lost place and dropped rear 7th, struggling 10th, headway under pressure 4 out, rallied to chase winner 2 out, edged left and held flat, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Killard Point (11-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
