chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, weakening and no chance when blundered last
chased leaders until weakened 4 out
not fluent, keen hold and held up in rear, mistake 7th and next, hit 13th, blundered 4 out, headway from 2 out, left disputing 2nd last, closed as winner weakened run-in
led until headed soon after 9th, stayed handy until weakened 3 out
soon pressed leader, hit 5th, led soon after 9th, 10 lengths clear last, weakened run-in, all out
held up in rear, steady headway from 10th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened and blundered last
prominent until steadied rear after 5th, well behind 3 out, stayed on from next, left disputing 2nd last, closed as winner weakened run-in, not get up
Kalca Mome, Be My Better Half and Schuh Shine look to be the leading lights in this handicap chase and we will nominate Kalca Mome as the most likely winner. The selection goes well when fresh and under conditions that suit he is taken to make-all in the hands of Richard Johnson. Be My Better Half is another worthy of respect now that his sights are dropped to a more realistic level. But he may just need the run after a 211 day absence and at the likely odds he is probably best watched. Schuh Shine is another that will relish the conditions and his yard are in good form at present. However, he is still prone to the odd error and he can't be backed with confidence. Spring Grove has dropped to a handy mark and he could go well at a price but Kalca Mome has plenty in his favour and gets the vote.
Kalca Mome (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Held up, headway 8th, ridden to chase winner 4 out, kept on from 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Noisetine (10-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft in Apr.
Spring Grove (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, blundered 5th, pushed along 11th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Trust Fund (10-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (B) sft in Apr, 9 ran.
Be My Better Half (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) With leader, led 8th to 11th, losing place when mistake 3 out, well behind when mistake 2 out, tailed off, 20th of 30, well behind Cregg House (10-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (B) gs in Apr.
Another Joker 14-1 (9-11) unseated rider in race won by Armaturk (11-12) at Lingfield 2m lst hcp chs (A) gd in Oct, 10 ran.
Schuh Shine (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-5) Led to 4th, tracked leader, led again 7th, ridden and blundered 4 out, soon headed and weakened, 6th of 8, 39l behind Almost Broke (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Apr.
Uncle Wallace 11-2 (11-3) Held up, headway 11th, mistake 14th, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 7, 41l behind Spring Lover (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Mar.
Durlston Bay 9-2 (11-0) Led until pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Tom Sayers (10-6) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Apr, 7 ran.
