with leader, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from next
behind, pushed along 4 out, never dangerous
in touch, headway to lead before 3 out, jumped left from next, ridden and headed flat, kept on
held up, shaken up 3 out, kept on, never nearer
keen early, soon lost place, never dangerous
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, behind and pulled up before next
mid-division, struggling 5th, soon behind
held up, steady headway approaching 3 out, effort next, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well
held up, effort 3 out, one pace from next, no impression
in touch, ridden 3 out, effort next, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
led to before 3 out, weakened next
Diamond Frontier is no sure thing but he looks the most solid option in this finale; New Lodge, Cast Iron Casy and Celtic Saloon make up the shortlist. The selection has bumper into a couple of fair sorts on his two jaunts over hurdles to date and this ex-Irish gelding should be capable of landing a contest like this as he is unlikely to find anything in the calibre of Tazbar and Realism. A nicely-bred son of Saddler's Wells, his class should see him through today. Solid Silver didn't impress on his recent hurdling debut but he can be expected to improve markedly on that, whilst Cast Iron Casey is a stablemate of the selection but looks the second string. New Lodge has claims although it may be worth bearing in mind that he will be handicapped after this start, whilst Schelm and Qaasi both make their debuts over obstacles today and both were capable on the level. Celtic Saloon would be a danger if fully tuned up for his reappearance but he has been out of action for some time and so we will return to Diamond Frontier as the nomination.
Cast Iron Casey (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 7th of 16, 36l behind Realism (11-3) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Celtic Saloon (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, struggling from 4th, 11th of 14, 47l behind Jack The Giant (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb '06.
Diamond Frontier (IRE) 2-1 (11-3) Led after 1st, headed before 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 17l behind Realism (11-3) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Divvys Dream 50-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, well behind Starting Point (11-6) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Do It For Dalkey 40-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, 12th of 18, well behind Mr Multifix (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Easby Park 100-1 (11-1) Mid-divison, mistake 3rd, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Lazy Darren (10-13) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
New Lodge 50-1 (10-11) Mid-division, weakened from 5th, 7th of 15, 28l behind Riguez Dancer (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Qaasi (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leader over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 11l behind Terminate (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (6) pol (Flat).
Schelm (GER) 9-4 (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, keen, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Motarjm (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb (Flat).
Solid Silver 50-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, lost place 3rd, 8th of 15, well behind Riguez Dancer (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
The Honest Fiddler 50-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, 4th of 16, 19l behind Realism (11-3) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Ergo (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, weakened 4 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Quicuyo (11-6) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) hvy, 9 ran.
Mysterious World (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, hampered 4th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lazy Darren (10-13) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gd, 14 ran.
Zoren (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led briefly on bend after 3rd, ridden 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Florentino (10-5) at Kelso 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Ceilidh Lass (FR) 66-1 (10-7) Always behind, 13th of 18, 41l behind Furmigadelagiusta (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Toby Mac 66-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when fell 4 out in race won by Jaunty Flight (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft, 18 ran.
