chased leaders, blundered 11th, soon lost place
in rear, pushed along approaching 11th, went moderate 3rd from 3 out, never dangerous
close up, outpaced 9th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
made all, clear from 5 out flat
chased leaders and mistakes, blundered 12th, weakened 3 out
held up, went moderate 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner
held up, weakened from 10th
Olay Olay is bound to be popular with backers, especially after running better at Hereford last time, but Jonjo O'Neill's gelding may not represent much in the way of value and preference is for Super Road Train, who gets the vote ahead of Delray Beach. The last mentioned had a decent first season with Ferdy Murphy last term, having formerly been trained in France, and she has to be respected on her reappearance having won first time out last season. Midnight Gunner has rather harshly been raised 9lbs for his success at Hexham earlier this month and he may now be too high in the weights, while Classic Rock is entitled to be thereabouts once more but may again have to settle for minor honours. The vote then goes to Sue Smith's Super Road Train who was travelling well before falling at Towcester on his recent return to action and it is interesting that he has been turned out so quickly since then.
Silent Bay 9-2 (11-1) Led to 2nd, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from last, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Ellerslie George (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (5) gf in Oct.
Delray Beach (FR) 2-1fav (10-10) Held up, in touch halfway, headway to lead 16th, driven out from 2 out, won at Ayr 3m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Mar beating Behavingbadly (10-9) by 4l, 5 ran.
Midnight Gunner 17-2 (10-12) Always prominent, led 14th, soon clear, ridden out flat, won at Hexham 3m 1f chs 0-90 (5) gd in Oct beating Adolphus (10-9) by 13l, 14 ran.
Olay Olay (IRE) 5-1co-fav (10-8) Led, clear approaching 4 out, all out when headed after last, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Professor Hegarty (11-2) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Classic Rock 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, rallied 11th, mistake 13th, stayed on towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 14l behind Henry's Pride (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Super Road Train 5-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, disputing 4th whe fell at the 10th in race won by Youll Do For Me (11-7) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
It's My Party 20-1 (10-11) Led to 14th, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 49l behind Sports Express (10-10) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
