behind, struggling 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
behind, outpaced 5 out, soon beaten, pulled up before 3 out
led and clear to 7th, headed 4 out, outpaced when blundered 2 out, 15 lengths down in 4th when fell last
in touch, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
held up, headway and in touch 4 out, outpaced and mistake next, weakening when left moderate 4th last
chased leaders, outpaced 8th, rallied 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
tracked leader, led 4 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, lost 2nd near finish
in touch, blundered 5th, ridden and outpaced when mistake 4 out, soon pulled up
held up, some headway 5 out, soon outpaced, 5th and no chance when hampered last
held up, headway and in touch 4 out, led 2 out, pushed clear flat
Bermuda Pointe, Sharp Reply and Tom's Toybox look the three to concentrate on here and the vote is given to TOM'S TOYBOX. The selection has plenty to recommend him as he arrives here in good form, he has won over the course and distance and he also has his optimum ground conditions. Bermuda Pointe looks his chief opponent as he was an easy winner last time out. However, it was a weak race he won that day at Carlisle and he looks to have more on his plate this afternoon. Sharp Reply finished behind our selection last time out and on these revised terms he could be a leading player today. Gentle John has been below-par on each of his last two starts so he is probably best watched at present, while course and distance winner Ormello might represent some each-way value. All of which returns us to Tom's Toybox as the pick.
Cool Operator 125-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, well behind when mistake 3 out, 12th of 17, 35l behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Tom's Toybox 13-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Dominican Monk (11-3) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf.
Gentle John (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Soon with leader, led 3rd to 4th, weakened and eased well before 3 out, 10th of 14, well behind Markila (11-1) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Sharp Reply (USA) 16-1 (11-4) Always handy, every chance 3 out, driven and no extra close home, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Tom's Toybox (10-9) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Nelson du Ronceray (FR) 2-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 3rd, mistake 6th, ridden and headed before last, no extra flat, last of 4, 10l behind Selection Box (11-8) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Ormello (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Held up in touch, outpaced 4 out, ridden and rallied 2 out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd flat, no impression, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Selection Box (11-8) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Coach Lane 4-1 (11-3) Led to 2nd, remained close up, mistake 5th, every chance 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 5, 45l behind Dominican Monk (11-3) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf.
Bermuda Pointe (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway to lead 5th, made rest, clear when not fluent last 2, won at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Watch The Wind (10-0) by 17l, 9 ran.
Kilkenny All Star (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Held up, hit 7th, went 2nd after 4 out, weakened next, 3rd of 9, 33l behind High Bird Humphrey (10-11) at Catterick 2m mdn chs (4) gd in Mar.
Cantgeton (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Held up, headway 5 out, driven and weakened next, 7th of 9, 31l behind Bermuda Pointe (11-5) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.