held up in touch, headway 3 out, ridden to challenge next, stayed on strongly to lead last 50 yards
disputed lead until 5th, driven 8th, led approaching 10th, ridden and headed before last, stayed on well towards finish
tracked leaders, every chance from 2out, led before last, headed flat, no extra
held up in rear, under pressure 6th, soon beaten
disputed lead, led 5th, mistakes 7th and 10th, soon headed, weakened after next
TROODOS JET is the call with The Kealshore Kid and Lerida as the alternatives. The nine-year-old won a similarly dire affair at the course earlier in the month and while defying a penalty will not be easy, if the cheekpieces work for a second time, he sets a fair albeit low standard to aim at. The Kealshore Kid has not gone on for a couple of decent efforts at the start of the season. Michael O'Connell is riding well and is more than fair value for his 5lb claim. Lerida has to reverse form with our selection and connections will be hoping that the ground dries out in advance of this contest. The Fabricator is well bred though devoid of ability. The remainder have little to recommend them on racecourse evidence. A very poor race and connections of Troodos Jet have done well to find such a weak race to attempt a follow up in.
The Kealshore Kid (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, reminders after 7th, went 3rd from 9th, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 36l behind Jim Tango (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gs in Dec.
Lerida 10-3 (11-1) Led, narrowly headed 3 out, chased winner from next, well held last, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Troodos Jet (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
Troodos Jet 5-2fav (10-7) In touch, headway 9th, chased leaders 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, in command last, drew clear flat, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft beating Naval Attache (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Crofton Arch 66-1 (9-7) Held up, not fluent 2nd, pushed along 6th, never dangerous after, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Blacks Bridge (11-6) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
The Fabricator (FR) 15-2 (10-10) Took keen hold, prominent, weakened after 11th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Ray Mond (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
Amjad 25-1 (10-2) Always behind, 11th of 14, well behind Quay Meadow (10-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.