with leaders, led 4th, kept on strongly from last
chased leaders, mistake 11th and lost place, headway 4 out, weakened next
held up in rear, headway 5 out, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from next
in touch, mistake and unseated rider 5th
with leaders, lost place 5 out
led and keen, headed 4th, chased leader, one pace and no impression from 3 out
Nonrunner
Well handicapped Irish raider Oh My Lord is far less exposed than most of the rest and is fancied to be more progressive than Celtic Boy, while Emperor Ross and Glenfarcles Boy can also figure strongly if they run up to their best. Glenfarcles Boy is a previous course winner that has slowly got his act together over fences. However, his connections will be praying for rain before the off and he may just be better on easier going. Emperor Ross, on the other hand, should relish the conditions and, as a proven stayer, he cannot confidently be ruled out. He did win off a higher mark than this when he was a novice and has sound claims if he can turn back the clock. Celtic Boy is still a stayer in the making and has the scope to go close in this company. However, he was well beaten at Stratford just seventeen days ago and comes here with something to prove. Therefore, we prefer the claims held by Oh My Lord, who had a legitimate excuse when the saddle slipped at Aintree when he was last seen out. He was in the process of running a nice race on that occasion and, assuming that he suffers no misfortunes this time around, the Tony Martin-trained gelding can gain compensation this afternoon.
Celtic Boy (IRE) 5-2 (11-6) Chased leader from 3rd, led 13th, narrow advantage when fell 2 out, remounted, 3rd of 6, well behind Sweet Diversion (11-6) at Stratford 3m nov chs (D) gd.
Verchoyles Lad (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (12-0) Mid-division, improved to chase leaders when fell in race won by Aston (9-6) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 frm, 15 ran.
Emperor Ross (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-12) Held up, headway 10th, ridden when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 32l behind Totheroadyouvgone (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf.
Madam's Man 8-1 (11-12) Never going well, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Gallik Dawn (10-6) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in May, 12 ran.
Pessimistic Dick 4-1 (11-9) Led to 14th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, last of 5, 26l behind Forest Dante (10-11) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Dec '03.
Oh My Lord (IRE) 5-4fav (10-2) Prominent and keen, hit 1st, led 3rd, blundered badly and saddle slipped 15th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Mullensgrove (10-3) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd, 9 ran.
Glenfarclas Boy (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, stayed on from last, 4th of 9, 2l behind Nowator (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in May.
