held up in touch, headway halfway, led before 3 out, clear last, ridden out
tracked leader, driven, outpaced 3 out, ridden next, rallied to chase winner flat
held up, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
in touch, effort to chase winner approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
lost place 3rd, behind when pulled up before 6th
led, headed before 3 out, ridden, one pace from next
in touch, reminders, lost place 7th, behind, pulled up after next
behind, lost touch 8th, tailed off from 3 out
lost place after 3rd, soon behind, tailed off 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 8th, soon struggling, tailed off 3 out
Aces Four, Rimsky and Blackergreen are three against the field in another tight affair and the narrow vote is given to Aces Four. The selection was a fair third behind the highly regarded According To John last time out. This looks easier and with the faster ground also in his favour he looks the value bet in an open affair. Rimsky rates the main danger on his latest second behind Standin Obligation but all his best form is on a stiffer track and he may be outpaced on this tight circuit so he is opposed for that reason.Blackergreen is another worthy of respect as he won well last time when beating Teeton Babysham. However this looks more competitive and he will need to improve again to win this under his penalty.Scotmail was a fair third behind Harmony Brig last time and is another with place claims but he may be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time. The remainder have plenty to find on official ratings and with this in mind for the winner we return to Aces Four who looks to have everything in his favour.
Aces Four (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Led, ridden and headed after 4 out, weakened from next, 3rd of 4, 19l behind According To John (11-6) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl (2) gs.
Blackergreen 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led from 6th, clear approaching 3 out, driven out, won at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gd beating Teeton Babysham (11-7) by 6l, 8 ran.
Rimsky (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway from 3 out, chased leaders between last 2, stayed on flat to snatch 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 18, 7l behind Standin Obligation (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (1) gd.
Scotmail (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Harmony Brig (11-9) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Capybara (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Towards rear, struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Rosie Redman (11-9) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 15 ran.
Mitey Perk (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) fell in race won by What A Night (12-0) at Netherby Park 3m ptp gd in Feb, 17 ran.
Norminster 14-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 4 out, 6th of 9, 33l behind Bohemian Spirit (11-0) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 44l behind Character Building (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
