towards rear, headway 16th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, led 16th, clear 3 out, eased down flat
held up, headway 14th, ridden from 17th, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
tracked leader, led briefly 10th, led again 13th, headed 16th, switched right approaching next, outpaced, kept on moderately, faded flat
led, headed briefly 10th, headed 13th, ridden and weakened 16th
mistake 6th, behind when mistake again 14th and pulled up before 17th
The combined age of the six runners totals 65 so there shouldn't be any secrets from a handicapping point of view here. Run For Paddy wasn't disgraced in a better contest at Cheltenham on his penultimate run and is chosen to take advantage of the drop in class today, whilst Moorlands Again and Ile De Paris should be there or thereabouts. Geriatric Mr Dow Jones showed that he still has plenty to give when a decent third at Stratford last time out and could again run into a place today. Baron Windrush ran in that same race but was pulled up so looks up against it once again. The selection would appreciate better ground however he has won under testing conditions before and last-year's Scottish National winner certainly won't go down for lack of stamina. The stable are in form and he looks the call despite carrying top-weight. Ile De Paris is very consistent and unexposed over fences. The trip is an unknown however he is one who will relish the conditions and he has place claims at least. Moorlands Again has winning form over course and distance so certainly warrants respect, however he is now on worse terms with the selection than when he was beaten three lengths by him at Stratford last year so could be held once again. Ice Crystal completes the line-up but won't win from out of the handicap, so we will return to Carl Llewellyn's Run For Paddy to return to winning ways.
