chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 11th, weakened approaching 3 out
led, jumped right throughout, headed 4 out, upsides when blundered at 2 out, soon weakened
held up, behind, headway 11th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on strongly from last to take 2nd run-in
held up towards rear, blundered 5th, headway 9th, blundered and lost place 12th, pulled up before 4 out
held up in touch, outpaced from 11th
held up, behind, pushed along 10th, weakened next, pulled up before 12th
mid-division, lost place and behind from 10th, soon outpaced, stayed on from 2 out
chased leader, led 4 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, kept on
chased leaders, pushed along, behind from 10th, weakened from next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, outpaced from 11th, never dangerous after
Rainbow Tree gets the confident vote here with Major Catch and Read All About It rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Focus Point with plenty in hand and although rising in the weights he again has conditions to suit and he still looks ahead of the handicaper so he will be hard to beat. Major Catch rates the main danger as he had every chance until unshiping his rider last time out, if he puts in a fluent round of fencing he will not be far away. Read All About It is another worthy of respect on his best form especially as this faster ground should suit and he should be watched in the market. Of the remainder Aston has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price but consistency is not his strong point and for the winner we return to Rainbow Tree.
Major Catch (IRE) 2-1fav (10-11) Led to 4th, chased leader, led 10th to 11th, led 13th, clear 4 out, narrow advantage when wandered, rider lost iron and unseated rider at the last in race won by Square Mile (11-2) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gf, 11 ran.
Rainbow Tree 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, left in lead and jumped right from 9th, made rest, clear 3 out, ridden out comfortably, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf beating Focus Point (11-10) by 27l, 10 ran.
Aston (USA) 11-2 (11-5) Held up behind leaders, close up 13th, not fluent next and soon ridden, chased winner and hung right after 2 out, no impression when mistake last, 2nd of 7, 14l behind Metal Detector (11-10) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Read All About It (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Behind, headway to 7th 5 out, 6th and ridden 4 out, soon no extra and weakened, tailed off, 5th of 14, 41l behind Ballysheedy (9-11) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp chs 0-95 gd in Sept.
Birdwatch 10-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, lost place after 6th, 4th of 11, 41l behind Kercabellec (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Jaoka du Gord (FR) 12-1 (10-8) In rear, pushed along 15th, headway 17th, weakened last, 4th of 15, 21l behind Iloveturtle (9-10) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Silver Dagger 20-1 (10-9) Towards rear, outpaced 7th, stayed on from 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 15, 36l behind Ballynure (10-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Major Belle (FR) 13-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, driven after 4 out, went 2nd soon after 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Alfadora (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
