held up towards rear, headway travelling strongly 8th, close up 4 out, not fluent 3 out and ridden, moved into distant 2nd before last where mistake, kept on
tracked leader, led narrowly 4 out where awkward, drew clear under pressure 3 out, in command last, comfortably
prominent, hit 8th, close up 4 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened before last
midfield, lost ground and ridden 6th, in rear and losing touch 4 out, tailed off 3 out
in rear, slow 3rd, ridden before 4 out, well off the pace 2 out, kept on from last, took 3rd close home
led, hit 1st, awkward 5th and 6th, ridden and headed before 4 out where not fluent, hit 3 out, weakened
NonRunner
Ardera Cross is 6-22 over fences and landed a Class 3 handicap from exactly the same mark here in February. Pull Green landed a novice hurdle at Catterick at this time a year ago and will be better for his chasing debut in July though MINT GOLD arrives in much better form. A winner on good ground at Perth in September, he couldn't quite hold Monsieur Co when 7lb higher at Kelso but is progressive enough to return to winning ways. Western Sea travels over from Ireland but doesn't look particularly well handicapped while Book Of Invasions didn't enjoy heavy conditions at Ayr.
Pull Green (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, no impression from 4 out, well beaten 5th when mistake last, 5th of 9, 27 1/4l behind Global Tour (11-9) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Mint Gold (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Chased leaders, bumped 2nd, challenging when left in lead 2 out, headed last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Monsieur Co (11-10) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Western Sea (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Disputed until led 2nd, joined before 5th and headed next, on terms again 5 out, headed before 3 out, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 25 1/4l behind Steer Clear (11-8) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Ardera Cross (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Led until 3rd and again 5th, headed 4 out, kept on at same pace, 5th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Drumconnor Lad (11-12) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Tonto's Spirit 14-1 (11-7) Prominent, led narrowly 2nd, headed 6th, hit 8th, towards rear 4 out, losing ground under pressure when hit 3 out, weakened and well adrift last, 7th of 8, 30 1/4l behind Cedar Hill (10-11) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Cesar Du Gouet (FR) 7-1 (12-1) Chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before blundered 4 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Lots Of Luck (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Book Of Invasions (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Close up towards rear, bad mistake 6 out, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
