mid-division, outpace 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon one pace
chased leaders, blundered and unseated rider 4th
held up, hampered by loose horse after 5th, never on terms
behind, struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, headway 3 out, ridden and stayed on to lead after last, readily
tracked leaders, headway 4 out, led next, jumped left last, headed and no extra flat
held up, headway 8th, effort 4 out, weakened after next
made most to 8th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
with leader, led 8th, headed 3 out, soon ridden and one pace
mid-division, lost place 8th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Kalou, Drumossie and Seeyaaj and the narrow vote is given to Kalou. The selection won well last time out when beating Loulou Nevernais and although having a favourite for that win he looks a progressive type and he is taken to defy the handicapper under conditions that suit. Drumossie rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Ton-Chee. That horse has since ran well in defeat so he will not be far away. However his best form is with slightly more cut in the ground and he looks opposable on that basis. Seeyaaj is another that could go well as he is another last time out winner but he has a penalty for that win and this looks more competitive so he will need to improve again to win off this mark.Of the remainder Master Papa was a fair second behind Nifty Roy last time and could go well at a price but consistency is not his strong point so he can not be put forward with any confidence. This is a trappy affair and stakes should be kept to a minimum but for the winner we return to Kalou.
Kalou (GER) 7-1 (11-7) Held up, chased leaders 4 out, ridden next, led last, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Nov beating Loulou Nivernais (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Seeyaaj 12-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, all out to lead towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar beating Super Nomad (11-4) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Minouchka (FR) 5-1 (10-2) Chased leader, ridden after 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Persian Point (10-13) at Catterick 2m mdn chs (4) gs in Mar.
Henrianjames 11-1 (10-2) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden after next, one pace flat, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Genuine Article (10-2) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gf in May '04.
Master Papa (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway 8th, left 3rd 3 out, kept on flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Nifty Roy (10-9) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Karo de Vindecy (FR) 11-4fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, led 5th, headed 8th, briefly led after 4 out, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, 21l behind Bergerac (11-7) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Nov.
The Frosty Ferret (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-5) Held up, mistakes, reminders 12th, weakened approaching 5 out, 6th of 8, 24l behind Lovely Native (11-3) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Drumossie (AUS) 15-2 (10-6) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 6th, ridden 2 out, stayed on well under pressure to lead final 75 yards, won at Sedgefield 2m sll hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf beating Ton-Chee (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
