chased leaders, led approaching 8th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten
held up, headway 13th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra from last
held up, blundered 1th, driven and one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, driven and one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear from last
mistakes, chased leaders until lost place 4th, tailed off from 5 out
led until 7th, lost place 10th, fell next
chased leaders, lost place 14th, tailed off from 3 out
Bleu Pois can continue what promises to be a good day for the Howard Johnson yard with both Polar Gale and Lucky Nellerie worth noting. The selection carries a seven pound penalty for his success at Hexham last week but still looks potentially well treated on his best hurdle form. With a clear round over these fences he looks certain to go close once again. Polar Gale carries the same penalty for his course and distance win last week. That was his first real sign of form this season and is therefore worth noting in the betting market. Lucky Nellerie has previous winning form to his name but his run of luck has been against him for sometime now. The ground could be the answer here as he has won on a fast surface in the past and all his poor performances have been on soft or heavy so with that in mind he should be worth some consideration. However for the winner we return to Bleu Pois.
Lucky Nellerie (FR) 10-3 (11-12) Led until blundered badly, stumbled 1st, not recover, soon pulled up, in a race won by Skenfrith (10-0) at Ayr 3m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Mar, 6 ran.
Bleu Pois (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 3 out, effort last, stayed on under pressure to lead near finish, won at Hexham 3m 1f nov stks (4) gd beating Harry Flashman (10-12) by 1l, 9 ran.
Big Bone (FR) 40-1 (11-2) In rear, ridden approaching 5th, never dangerous, 12th of 14, 34l behind Gamma Velorum (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Paddymcgintysgoat (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Always behind, lost touch 7th, left poor 4th 4 out, 4th of 10, well behind Nile Moon (10-10) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Polar Gale (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway to track leaders 5 out, ridden to lead 2 out, mistake last, driven out, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf beating Simply Smashing (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Esquillon 66-1 (10-5) Always behind, soon detached, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Snowy (11-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Mar, 13 ran.
Bobby Icata 200-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, tailed off from 7th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Saucy Bingo (11-9) at Newcastle 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Apr '08, 14 ran.
Tully Hill 33-1 (10-1) Led to 3rd, tracked leader, effort 4 out, outpaced next, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 18l behind Neidpath Castle (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
The Artful Fox 11-1 (9-11) Mid-division, under pressure 8th, soon tailed off, 12th of 17, well behind Extra Bold (11-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
