led to 9th, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, blundered and headed last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, took closer order 8th, led 9th, not fluent 10th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, chased leading pair from 10th, led last, kept on
tracked leaders on outer, hit and unseated 7th
in rear, pushed along after 9th, soon lost place
Nonrunner
VIKING BLOND has been a revelation since being sent handicapping on heavy ground but it remains to be seen how he copes with his latest rise in the weights under these quicker conditions but he still gets the nod ahead of Elbow High and Backstage et al. The latter is an interesting contender as he's well handicapped on his chase form and looks an improved performer since he was last in action over hurdles but he was due to line up in a chase on Thursday so it remains to be seen whether he takes his chance. Elbow High hails from a yard whose runners here always merit respect and he should be all the better for his recent return to action but this will be the fastest ground that he's encountered. Wild Cane Ridge also has a slight query over the ground as well as his current form whilst Night Force has it all to prove and Watercolours and Sibenek something to find. The selection is unproven on the ground and is 22lbs higher than when first successful but he's one of the few obviously progressive performers in the line up and VIking Blond's raid on this prize may be successful.
Wild Cane Ridge (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led from 2nd, headed 5th, lost place 11th, weakened approaching 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Himalayan Trail (11-7) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 16 ran.
Viking Blond (FR) 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led 2 out, soon clear, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar beating Lord Crewe (10-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
Sibenek (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden before 8th, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Tarateeno (10-2) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Elbow High (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, 12th of 17, well behind Hold The Pin (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 hvy.
Night Force 9-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, lost place 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden and stayed on from last, no impression, 4th of 9, 18l behind Lightening Rod (11-9) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Watercolours (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) In rear, ridden 8th, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd post, no impression, 3rd of 12, 18l behind Federstar (11-6) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Backstage (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division when hampered and brought down 20th, in a race won by Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd, 40 ran.
Ambrose Princess (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Led until mistake 9th, weakening when jumped right 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Carole's Legacy (11-12) at Ayr 3m hdl (2) gd, 9 ran.
