led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, one pace, weakened last
in touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
held up, headway 5th, challenged after 2 out, led last, ridden, kept on flat
mid-division, headway 5th, in touch when stumbled and fell after 3 out
tracked leader, reminders 5th, lost place approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th, no impression when mistake last
raced keenly, held up, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, outpaced when hit 5th, no impression when hampered after 3 out, tailed off from next
mid-division, effort 3 out, ridden, weakened after next
chased leaders until lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, outpaced approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
mid-division on inside, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, weakened from next
behind, lost touch 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always prominent, led 2 out, ridden, headed last, kept on same pace flat
Knight Valliant can win the opener at the expense of Rich Lord and Schelm. The selection broke his maiden tag first time of asking over hurdles when getting his head in front at Musselburgh but failed to deliver at the same track last time out. Having said that this looks a weaker contest and if springing back to his best he can score once more. Rich Lord comes from a yard in form at present and although he is well exposed on what he has achieved so far he has winning form over hurdles at Catterick back in January and had pace to win on the level too so is not without a chance here. Schelm will pose as the biggest danger to the selection having won on his debut at Newcastle last time out. He looked to take to the obstacles well that day and his form on the all weather prior to that has worked out well so any market moves should be noted. But for the winner we return to Knight Valliant.
Cash Man (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Led 2nd, joined 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, kept on gamely to lead again close home, won at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) hvy beating Naxox (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Knight Valliant 11-4 (11-5) In touch, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next, 6th of 10, 17l behind Kalahari King (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Schelm (GER) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, steady headway approaching 3 out, effort next, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Diamond Frontier (11-0) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Rich Lord 7-2jt-fav (11-5) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 13l behind Amazing King (10-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Easby Park 150-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression, 4th of 15, 8l behind Schelm (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Morning Sunshine (IRE) 40-1 (10-6) Pulled hard in rear, headway approaching 3 out, in 4th and one pace when fell 2 out in race won by Greenbridge (10-9) at Doncaster 2m cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Feb, 8 ran.
Primo Way 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, headway and every chance 4 out, hit next, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 11th of 16, 49l behind Cash Man (11-2) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Pumboo (FR) 20-1 (11-1) Mistake 1st, behind, some headway approaching 3 out, 7th, no impression when mistake next, 9th of 13, 38l behind John Forbes (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Mar.
Solway Raki 200-1 (10-9) pulled up 2 out in race won by Numero Un de Solzen (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Nov '05, 10 ran.
Danehill Silver 66-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4th, lost touch next and pulled up at the last in race won by Florentino (10-5) at Kelso 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Empty Sky 50-1 (10-7) Keen early, held up, mistake 2nd, no impression when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 29l behind Isn't That Lucky (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Fortuitous (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden 5f out, soon dropped out, 6th of 8, 39l behind Wannabe Free (7-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Mar (Flat).
Little Lu (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, hampered over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 20, 10l behind Carole's Legacy (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f mrs lst nhf (1) gd.
Following Flow (USA) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Cash Man (11-2) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) hvy, 16 ran.
