made virtually all, ridden between last 2, hit last, stayed on well
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 2 out, soon ridden, 3rd and one pace when hit last
in touch, headway to chase winner 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace flat
raced keenly, in touch, smooth headway to track winner 3 out, lost place when not fluent next, weakened between last two
with winner, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
behind, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, never on terms
tracked leaders, driven and lost place 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace no impression
held up, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
Only three have much appeal here, and from a shortlist of Grasscutter, Breeze Out and WINGED FARASI, we'll side with the last named. A ready winner on his hurdling debut, albeit in a poor Cartmel race, he seems to have taken to jumping straightaway following a decent career on the flat. He's carrying almost a stone more following that success; the firmer ground he'll find today should help, and a repeat performance may be enough. Grasscutter is consistent, but consistently second, with five runners-up spots in his last six runs. James Lambe and Tony McCoy combined last year to win this race, and the combo have Breeze Out here, chasing a hat-trick of wins on English soil after doing well in Ireland. He may find that he's carrying too much weight this time though, which is why he's opposed. Sue Smith's not sending out many at the moment, and Dreams In Blue is her only runner on the card. This is his third jumps outing, and he's not really shone so far as he learns about the game. Winged Farasi has started his jumps career well, and is selected here to continue that success.
Breeze Out 9-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf beating Ballyvesey (10-8) by 2l, 5 ran.
Winged Farasi 7-1 (10-7) Held up, chased leaders after last, led over 1f out, clear flat, won at Cartmel 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in May beating Stoic Leader (10-12) by 9l, 6 ran.
Grasscutter (IRE) 13-8 (11-0) Held up, keen, headway 4 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, 2 challenged, stayed on and always held by winner, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Shut The Bar (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (4) gs in May.
Itsallyours Al (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) 3rd of 8, 38l behind Silent Wind (11-12) at Clonmel 2m hdl gd in Sep.
Scuzme (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Prominent when fell 5th, in a race won by Evelith Echo (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov stks (4) gf in May, 7 ran.
The Sheepdipper 66-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, struggling from 6th, 7th of 12, well behind Carsonstown Boy (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Dream In Blue 40-1 (10-7) Prominent, took keen hold, weakened 8th, 7th of 13, 50l behind Baddam (10-13) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Rivers Run Free (IRE) 80-1 (10-8) Soon behind, lost touch halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Breeze Out (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf, 5 ran.
Nightboat To Cairo (IRE) 250-1 (10-7) Held up, driven along halfway, behind final 5f, 11th of 13, well behind Roses (10-1) at Catterick 2m cond & am NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
