chased leaders until after 1st, soon in rear, not fluent 7th, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th until 7th, still close 3rd when mistake last, stayed on one pace flat
behind, ridden after 3rd, never in contention
mid-division, took keen hold, blundered 4th, headway approaching 6th, went 2nd next, led after 3 out, not fluent and ridden 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace
behind, pushed along after 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led last, driven clear
chased leaders until jumped slowly 6th, weakened 3 out
led, clear 2nd until 4th, headed after 3 out, not fluent next, beaten last
held up towards rear, headway on outside 5th, not fluent 7th, soon ridden, not fluent 3 out, weakened before next
took keen hold towards rear, headway when blundered 5th, not fluent 7th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Another tough handicap with plenty of horses holding chances but a tentative vote goes to POSH BIRD ahead of Hearthstaed Dream and Santa's Son. The selection has been running well of late and certainly holding her form well. Her latest run behind a very good horse of Nicky Henderson's reads well in the context of this. She has risen in the handicap due to her consistency but is in very good form and may well run a big race at a nice price. Hearthstead Dream is another horse holding his form well and represents a yard that do very well here. His latest run over course and distance was a decent effort when he was doing his best work at the latter end of the race. If they go a good gallop today which they probably will he could come late and fast and take this. Santa's Son is a gritty front runner and has been rated far higher in the past especially over fences. If allowed to dominate if could take some catching. Others to note in the race are Halezdine, Corkage and Los Nadis but the selection is Posh Bird.
Astarador (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, lost place from 7th, 6th of 10, well behind Quartz De Thaix (11-13) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Los Nadis (GER) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 20l behind Quartz De Thaix (11-13) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Corkage (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Tracked leader to 4 out, weakened after next, 5th of 12, 30l behind Coastley (10-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Santa's Son (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Pressed leader, not fluent 4th, led next until after 3 out, held from next, 6th of 12, 16l behind Sure Josie Sure (11-7) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Hearthstead Dream 15-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Quartz De Thaix (11-13) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Currahee 16-1 (11-3) Chased leader until 4th, lost place after 7th, rear when blundered and unseated rider 9th, in a race won by Federstar (11-6) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Hazeldene 9-2 (10-1) Made all, soon clear, hit 3 out, stayed on well from last, won at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr beating Nevertika (10-13) by 6l, 9 ran.
Tarkani (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Prominent, 4th before straight, no extra and kept on same pace from before last, 8th of 25, 6l behind Bobs Display (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hdl 8Evens16 in Dec.
Samizdat (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Led, headed after 1st, led again 2nd, headed next, led again 4th, headed 4 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, well behind Jurisdiction (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Kempski 18-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, weakened after 5th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Federstar (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar, 11 ran.
Posh Bird (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 9th, outpaced 3 out, no impression after, 5th of 9, 11l behind Carole's Legacy (11-12) at Ayr 3m hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Valley Of Giants 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, under pressure in 9th 2 out, kept on same pace from before last, 5th of 18, 16l behind Plaisir D'estruval (9-3) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens30 in Mar.
