with leader, led 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace
mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 8th, weakened after 3 out
pulled hard, stumbled 1st, went close 3rd 5th, fell 6th
led, mistake and headed 7th, weakened and mistake 4 out, tailed off
held up in rear, headway after 8th, went 4th after 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, behind from 6th, tailed off
jumped right 3rd, held up towards rear, raced keenly, no chance from 8th, tailed off
with leaders until hit 3rd, hit 5th, soon ridden, weakened 8th, tailed off
headway after 5th, reminders before next, went 2nd 8th until approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, went 2nd before 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, driven out
not fluent 3rd, in rear, mistakes 3rd and 4th, went moderate 5th 2 out, never dangerous
MR TEE PEE may be able to make a successful return to racing under Rules; Red Man Ray is an obvious danger whilst the likes of My Condor and Thievery could also figure. The selection showed an average level of form under Rules without winning for his previous connections but he has run up a sequence between the flags for his new yard and readily won a Hunter Chase at Folkestone in February. That may not have been the strongest race in the world but he won it well enough to think that he can be a player at this level from his current perch. In contrast, Red Man Ray appears to have been harshly dealt with for his sixteen length win at Kelso. As impressive as that was, he got the run of the race and we're far from certain that the performance merits a rise of 13lbs. In an unconvincing line-up it would be folly to dismiss any but two with stronger claims than most are My Condor and Thievery. The former is just a pound higher than when last successful and has a reasonably consistent track record as does the latter who looks capable of being in the mix. As far as the winner's concerned though, we'll come back to Mr Tee Pee.
Red Man Ray (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-5) Made all, jumped left 8th and 9th, clear when jumped left last, pushed out easily, won at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct beating Ho Pang Yau (9-12) by 16l, 9 ran.
Mr Tee Pee (IRE) Evensfav (11-11) In touch and going well, led 9th, shaken up to draw clear flat, won at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn hts chs (6) gs in Feb beating The Tailor Carey (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Spiritual Society (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Chased leader, led 2nd, not fluent and headed 5th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Star of Germany (11-4) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug, 10 ran.
My Condor (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Raced keenly, prominent, led 3rd, headed approaching 5th, led 8th until after 9th, every chance when hit 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 15, 18l behind Young Tot (11-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Inn For The Dancer 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 5th, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 31l behind Picot de Say (10-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Ticket To Ride (FR) 9-1 (10-9) Mid-division until 7th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Master Somerville (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
No Telling (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up, headway after 4 out, ridden when fell at the last in race won by Decree Nisi (11-5) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Mar, 17 ran.
Arctic Spirit 20-1 (9-12) Led, jumped right 3rd and 4th, headed before next, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Auditor (10-0) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Fortune Point (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Mid-division, driven out, weakened next, 9th of 15, 37l behind Young Tot (11-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Thievery 11-4 (10-0) Never better than mid-division, left distant 4th 2 out, 4th of 8, 15l behind Jazz Dance (11-10) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Always Baileys (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, in touch, led 6th to 7th, weakened after 8th, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Malakiya (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f sll hdl (4) gd in Oct.
