held up in rear, struggling 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch when pulled up quickly before 4th
held up, headway 5 out, effort when not fluent 3 out, ridden to lead last, stayed on under pressure flat
held up in touch, headway to lead before 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon ridden and one pace
in touch, led 2nd to 10th, outpaced when mistake 5 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, third and outpaced when pecked 5 out, ridden and no impression from next
led to 2nd, tracked leader, led 10th, headed before 4 out, ridden to lead again before 2 out, headed last, no extra flat
held up, outpaced 5 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure from 3 out, no impression
The step up in trip looks sure to suit Raysrock, however LEASE LEND has a bit more experience and gets our vote. The selection handles a variety of ground conditions and wasn't beaten far last time out at Wetherby when second to Merchant Red. He showed a battling attitude in a good race and can go one better here. Raysrock looked a potential improver on his chasing debut and he actually finished just in front of the selection. However his best form has come on hock deep ground and he may prefer more rain. Silver By Nature looks sure to make up into a better chaser than hurdler, whilst Storymaker and Kealshore Boy have both won at the track before. Chernik got off the mark at Hexham when last seen over hurdles and would be interesting if the market spoke in his favour, whilst Jimmy Lambe has a good record when travelling over to England but his gelding Classic Moon needs to step up on his chasing debut. Tricky, but Lease Lend gets the vote.
Chernik (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Tracked leader, challenged 2 out, led before last, ridden out flat, won at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (5) gf in May beating Almond Court (10-7) by 2l, 4 ran.
Classic Moon (GER) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th and no extra before 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 18, 34l behind Drumconvis (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs gs in Oct.
Kealshore Boy 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, dropped to rear from 3rd, weakened from 7th, last of 8, well behind Elusive Dream (11-8) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Apr.
Lease Lend 11-4 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 4 out, challenged approaching 2 out, no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Merchant Red (11-1) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) gf.
Nile Moon (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden 5 out, lost place 4 out, 7th of 11, 19l behind Mill Side (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Raysrock (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) In touch, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Crocodiles Rock (11-2) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Oct.
Silver By Nature 40-1 (11-6) Led until headed 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 27l behind Lodge Lane (11-6) at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Storymaker 12-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 4f out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Warsaw Pact (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
