chased leaders, lost place 6th, well behind when mistake 10th, pulled up before 11th
mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway 6th, 2nd when blundered next, soon lost place, well behind when pulled up before 11th
raced keenly, not fluent 1st, led after 2nd, headed next, lost place after 6th, well behind when fell 4 out
held up, headway after 9th, went fourth 4 out, soon eased and pulled up
raced keenly, prominent, led 3rd, not fluent 5th, headed 10th, weakened next
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, hit 7th, blundered next, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
mid-division, headway 6th, led 11th, headed 4 out, still every chance 2 out, no extra flat, just held on for 2nd
held up towards rear, headway 6th, hampered 12th, weakened and pulled up before next
chased leaders, led 10th to 11th, led 4 out, ridden clear flat
led until after 2nd, remained handy, ridden after 4 out, stayed on one pace from 3 out, just failed to get 2nd
in rear, mistake 2nd, behind next, headway after 9th, mistake and weakened next, no chance and hampered 4 out, soon pulled up
CARRICKMINES has yet to win in 18 runs, but could still be too good for these here, but joining him on our shortlist are One Of The Boys and Hugo Wolf. It's hard to be confident about any of these, as all too often most of these fail to complete a race, but the selection has run well in his last two outings, being placed in both of them. Indeed last time out he was awarded runners up spot when the winner was thrown out after the jockey weighed in light. There are one or two questions though about whether he really gets this trip. Hugo Wolf is one of only a couple here to have won over this trip, the other being Now Then Sid. That was a year ago, and in a better race than this. However he's been well down the field in the two races he's subsequently finished, but a step down in class should be a positive. One Of The Boys gets round, and was placed here over slightly further last time out. Georgia Steel has improved his jumping and run well twice since moving to Emma Lavelle's yard; he's their only runner on the card, and any market support would be encouraging. Tentatively though, our selection is Carrickmines.
Now Then Sid 10-1 (10-11) In touch, went 2nd approaching 15th, ridden and kept on from 2 out, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Rare Society (11-5) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug '06.
Hugo Wolf (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) In rear, fell 9th, in a race won by Nagam (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Himself Dreams On (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden and lost touch 14th, pulled up before 17th, in a race won by Rebel Melody (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar, 9 ran.
A Few Kind Words (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, progress to go 4th 11th, went 3rd after 3f out, soon weakened, ridden eased down close home and lost 3rd, 4th of 8, 39l behind Irish Guard (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chase (4) gd in Mar.
Carrickmines (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway and went 3rd 11th, ridden 3 out, went 2nd briefly 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Radar Love (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
Miller's Monarch 10-1 (10-11) Held up, stayed on to finish for 4th, 4th of 7, 26l behind Phoenix Eye (10-4) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.
One of The Boys (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Ross Leader (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
Georgia Steel (IRE) 15-2 (10-6) In touch, outpaced 3 out, stayed on, 4th of 14, 23l behind Pret A Thou (11-4) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Iris's Flyer 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 16, 37l behind Keyneema (10-10) at Fakenham 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Mar.
Mnason (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Prominent, mistake 1st, jumped slowly and lost place next, behind when mistake 8th, hampered 9th, soon well behind, 8th of 14, well behind Donald Will Do (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Feb.
Riccardo (IRE) 80-1 (10-7) Ran in snatches, mistake 1st, no chance when blundered badly 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Gerrard (11-3) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Mar, 16 ran.
