mistake 1st, held up, driven and outpaced when fell 4 out
always behind, hit 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
chased winner to 3 out, weakened next
mid-division headway 4 out, effort next, weakened 2 out
led, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied to lead again flat, held on
held up, ridden after 4 out, soon no impression, virtually pulled up flat
in touch, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead next, kept on until headed flat, no extra near finish
in touch, hit 7th, outpaced 2 out, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Glamis Castle is selected ahead of Cluthe Bay and Guns And Butter. The two Irish raiders at the foot of the weights have something to prove in relation to the likes of My Arch but they receive plenty of weight and have the potential to improve for this trip. The selection has proved to be a fair stayer on the level and has shown enough ability over hurdles to suggest that he could win a race of this nature. He was slightly disappointing on soft last time but that run can be ignored as he needs fast ground and he can come into his own at this trip. Cluthe Bay has yet to show a great deal and has yet to race beyond two and a half miles but his shrewd trainer is sure to place him to advantage and the market should be revealing. My Arch is a victim of his own consistency but Guns And Butter should have more in the locker and may be able to defy an 8lb rise in the weights for his recent course success. Preference, however, is for Glamis Castle.
My Arch 12-1 (11-3) In touch, challenged 4 out, led next, ridden and headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind The Great Alfie (10-11) at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Portavadie 66-1 (11-8) Mid-division, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by De Blanc (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Key Time (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) With leader, led after 6th, headed 7th, weakened from next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ballyfitz (10-6) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb, 18 ran.
Guns And Butter (IRE) 4-1fav (11-4) Held up in touch, headway 6th, led 3 out, stayed on well, won at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr beating Winter Star (10-12) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Clemax (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Led, jumped left 1st and 2nd, headed next, remained handy, mistake 11th, blundered 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 19, 31l behind Gaelic Gift (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Commercial Express (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up, ridden 4 out, never on terms, 8th of 15, 29l behind Nirvana Swing (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Cluthe Boy (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Never a factor, 12th of 15, 40l behind Tryptronic (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-90 gs in Apr.
Glamis Castle (USA) 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 28l behind Mono (11-5) at Limerick 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 gs in Apr.
Dalawan 16-1 (10-0) With leader, lost place after 9th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, 28l behind So Now (10-8) at Perth 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Apr.
