tracked leaders, chased winner from 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression
held up in touch, brought down 11th
tracked leaders, fell 4th
tracked leaders, fell 11th
was the winner, with leader, led 10th, clear approaching 2 out
held up, tracked leaders 10th, weakened from 4 out
made most until headed 10th, weakened approaching 4 out
always behind, struggling from 8th, pulled up before 4 out, tailed off
A tricky beginners' chase where GRAND THEATRE gets the vote, while Diamond Frontier and Lord Larsson are respected. The selection won three of his five hurdles last season and acts well on soft ground. Rated 127 when taking a novices' handicap contest in the spring, if he can transfer that ability or better to fences, then he is sure to go very close today. With the yard in decent form we will give him the nod. Diamond Frontier would probably want heavy ground to be seen to best effect, so if the deluge forecast does arrive then he looks a serious threat. Overall, his hurdling form is not as strong as our pick, but this trip suits him and if it does get very testing then he is a major player. Mumbles Head stays three miles and enjoys juice underfoot, and his best form gives him a definite chance here, although the trip is shorter than ideal. Lord Larsson is unproven on anything slower than good to soft, and his novicey jumping cost him first time out, so he has a couple of points to prove today. Stagecoach Diamond has not shown us enough just yet to suggest he is quite up to winning this, and preference is for Grand Theatre.
Diamond Frontier (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leader, mistake 5th, soon lost 2nd, outpaced 7th, stayed on approaching last, 4th of 10, 9l behind Fredo (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Ellandshe (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, soon well behind, left remote 3rd from 11th, 3rd of 4, well behind Pamak D'airy (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Grand Theatre (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, smooth headway 4 out, led before next, left 8 lengths clear between last 2, stayed on, won at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr beating Easby Park (11-5) by 7l, 8 ran.
Lord Larsson 20-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Seven Is My Number (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f noc chs (3) gd in Oct, 5 ran.
Mumbles Head (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Always in rear, ridden and struggling after 7th, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Mr Thriller (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Oct.
Schindlers Maze (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 8th, ridden in 6th and no impression before straight, weakened and tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Paddy Pub (11-10) at Down Royal 2m 7f hnt chs gd in May.
Stagecoach Diamond 4-1fav (11-1) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 9th, ridden approaching 15th, weakened quickly next, 8th of 12, well behind Chabrimal Minster (11-12) at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp ch 0-125 (3) sft in May.
The Brig At Ayr 25-1 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 11, well behind Elzahann (10-12) at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
