mid-division, weakened from 4 out
in touch, went 2nd from 5 out, led before 2 out, clear before last
always towards rear
led, headed before 2 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened
prominent, weakened before 3 out
chased leader and bumped 1st, in 3rd before 3 out, no impression
held up in rear, headway 4 out, weakened from 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along before 11th, soon weakened
Apterix was last of four on his chasing bow at Wetherby but that was a better run than the bare result suggests as he only weakened approaching the last having jumped well in the main. It's significant that he's thrown into handicap company here and he makes more appeal than Lough Kent and course and distance winner Alderbrook Lad, who are both out of sorts. The latter was well behind Lord Wishes at Wetherby last month but the top weight has since finished tailed off at Cheltenham and, like Edmund and Roxyfet, looks in the handicapper's grip. Dursey Sound is also best watched after pulling up at Hereford but Raktiman represents last year's winning stable and had a pipe-opener over hurdles last month. We'll take a chance on the fitness of BLAKEMOUNT as he beat a decent sort when getting off the mark over fences at Carlisle in March and should have plenty more to offer this term.
Lord Wishes (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, slow 1st, closed before 4th, lost place next, soon well behind, tailed off, 15th of 16, dist behind Midnight Shot (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Apterix (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in touch in rear, effort after 4 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, weakened flat, last of 4, 10 3/4l behind Double W's (11-3) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Lough Kent 8-1 (11-6) Held up, mid-division, blundered 2nd, weakened from 6th, pulled up before 7th, at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Blakemount (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Made all, driven clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly, comfortably, won at Carlisle 2m 4f (3) gd in Mar beating Run Ructions Run (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Raktiman (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Disputed lead until 7th, lost place next, well beaten before 3 out, last of 8, dist behind Nautical Nitwit (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Alderbrook Lad (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Led 1st until after 3rd, led 8th, headed 10th, lost place 4 out, blundered when well beaten last, 9th of 10, 31 1/2l behind Lord Wishes (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Edmund (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 11, 35 3/4l behind Ballycrystal (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Dursey Sound (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) In rear, pushed along 12th, weakened from 6 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Roxyfet (FR) 17-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, lost place after 2nd, ridden and struggling 8th, well behind 3 out, 7th of 8, 26 1/4l behind Discoverie (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) gs in Apr.
