tracked leaders throughout, ridden to chase leader 5 out, every chance when mistake 2 out, rallied flat, just denied
in touch, mistake and reminders 5th, mistake again 3 out, led approaching 2 out, all out flat
led, blundered 6th, mistake 4 out, ridden when hit 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, behind from 4th
held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
always in rear, not jumped well
mid-division, stumbled on path after 6th, headway next, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, pulled up 2 out
soon in touch, mistake 6th, ridden next, weakened
held up towards rear, headway to track leading trio 4 out, ridden, weakened 3 out
Harry Blade is selected ahead of Jackson and Sunset Light. Nigel Twiston-Davies' yard have been in cracking form of late and he looks to have found an obvious opportunity for Harry Blade. He was far from convincing when landing the odds at Perth but as a son of Karinga Bay - this trip should be much more to his liking and connections should be unconcerned if there is overnight rain. Jackson does have some great form on the board including a second to Brewster at Cheltenham. The former hunter-chaser landed the odds at Exeter in a truly dire affair but he could be vulnerable first time up. There was no fluke about Sunset Light's demolition job on the well-regarded Woodlands Genpower last season. Colin Tinkler's team are already in rude health and the market is watched today. It was surprising that Grande Creole floundered last time on soft going but he is beginning to look exposed and we prefer others today. Lin d'Estruval did not really capitalise on a decent second at Kempton last term but is probably best of the rest. A trappy contest but one in which we side with potential improvement as Harry Blade secures the selection.
Harry Blade 10-11fav (11-2) Held up mid-division, lost place 4th, soon driven along and outpaced, ridden approaching 2 out, headway to lead approaching last, kept on well, won at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gd in Sept beating L'Eau Du Nil (11-1) by 4l, 12 ran.
Jackson (FR) 2-9fav (11-3) Made all, shaken up approaching last, ridden out, won at Hereford 3m 2f mdn hdl (E) gf in Apr beating Vallica (10-3) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sunset Light (IRE) 6-4 (11-3) Always prominent, led and awkward 8th, quickened clear with 2nd, clear after 3 out, easily, won at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Mar beating Woodlands Genpower (12-1) by 22l, 9 ran.
Aitchjayem 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, weakened 7th, 7th of 10, well behind Ballyfitz (10-12) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (E) gd.
Grande Creole (FR) 9-4jt-fav (11-0) Held up, headway after 6th, ridden 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 13, 23l behind Rowley Hill (11-12) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (E) gs in Apr.
It's Official (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 9th of 12, well behind Stern (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd.
Lin d'Estruval (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden 5th, weakened before 7th, 7th of 18, 45l behind Gold Medallist (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.
Mr Bently 8-1 (12-0) pulled up in race won by Pipersland (12-0) at Bratton Down 3m ptp gd in May, 9 ran.
Running Lord (IRE) 250-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 7th of 14, well behind Laska De Thaix (11-3) at Exeter 3m nov hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Runshan (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Led to 8th, lost place 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Amicelli (11-10) at Market Rasen 3m nov hdl (D) gd, 10 ran.
