tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 7th, every chance next, ridden and weakened when hit 2 out
led, joined last, soon ridden, kept on and headed last strides
tracked leader, pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, weakened from 6th, soon tailed off
mid-division, in touch in 5th after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 4 out, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch, mistake 6th, lost place 4 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 7th, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
in rear, hit 5th, headway approaching 3 out, chased leader 2 out,ridden and challenged last, kept on to lead last strides
STAND CLEAR is looking to go one better after just losing last time out whilst Cailin Na Ri made a great start to the year here and returns today with Serious Intent coming back from a long absence. Stand Clear is our selection after finishing a decent second only a quarter-of-a-length behind Identity Parade at Cartmel at the end of last month. The stamina appears to be growing and with a similar performance here it could be enough to take the win. Cailin Na Ri had a great first appearance this year when winning at this course and distance beating Mr Syntax by seven lengths. Last time out she wasn't so good but if finding the sort of effort shown when victorious here she could provide a strong challenge. Serious Intent has not been seen since 2008 but on the pick of his form has a chance. He has won point-to-points before and may be able to translate that now back under rules. Murcar has one win from four attempts over the hurdles having won at Towcester in May. He was not far away last time at Fontwell and could be the main danger to our pick, Stand Clear.
Murcar 2-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 2nd 5th, led after next, mistake 3 out, clear after, reduced lead and mistake last, headed and no extra final 110 yards, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Pure Anticipation (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Cailin Na Ri (IRE) 13-8fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led after 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 24l behind Knar Mardy (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Ford Of Wells (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 13th of 15, well behind Bale O'shea (10-10) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens02 sft in Oct.
Humbel Lad (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders and raced wide, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Lady Soughton (10-5) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Osbaldeston (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, not fluent next, soon weakened, blundered last, 8th of 10, 28l behind Identity Parade (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Serious Intent (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Prominent, soon chased leader, improved to lead 7f out, headed 5f out, no extra in 3rd over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 15, well behind Captain Conflict (12-0) at Downpatrick 2m 2f 4yo nhf sft in Mar '08.
Tartan Tie 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway on inside after 5th, no impression after 2 out, weakening when not fluent last, soon hampered, 4th of 11, 20l behind Barrel Of Fun (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Kembla Grange (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, no impression from before 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Son Amix (11-0) at Navan 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Stand Clear 8-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd after last, pressed winner towards finish, just held, 2nd of 10, nk behind Identity Parade (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Orpen Bid (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Made most until ridden and headed approaching last, mistake and weakened at hurdle, 4th of 6, 16l behind Dorabelle (10-10) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs.
