held up behind, ridden after 5 out, stayed on to go moderate 3rd last, edged left under pressure flat, lost 3rd near finish
led, mistake and headed 3rd, in touch, led again after 7th, headed after 5 out, soon outpaced, weakened from 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, reminders after next, outpaced when mistake 5 out, weakened next
held up behind, steady headway 11th, led 2 out, stayed on well from last
mid-division on outside, jumped slowly 8th, mistake 10th, soon lost place and behind, ridden 4 out, carried left and stayed on well flat to go 3rd near finish, never troubled leading pair
mid-division, in touch 6th, headway 5 out, led next, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led 3rd, blundered 6th, headed after next, in touch, led again after 5 out to next, 3rd and no impression when not fluent 2 out, weakened last
tracked leader, led briefly 7th, mistake next, outpaced 4 out, weakened from next
PAMAK D'AIRY is our selection with Sarde and Smugglers Bay on the shortlist. The gelding was a tad disappointing in a handicap chase at Bangor last time out but he had run well previously at Newcastle on heavy going and is far better treated at these terms than if it were a handicap. Sarde has to give away a winners' penalty. He is kept in the tonguestrap and cheekpieces that he wore at Market Rasen seven days ago. Smugglers Bay has been disappointing of late though cannot be ruled out at a track where his stable have traditionally done well. Baltic Pathfinder was well backed last time out when facing a similiar task at the weights. He fell when in contention but the bookmakers are unlikely to be making a similar mistake again. Malcolm Jefferson's horses are in good form at present so King Fontaine has to enter calculations. He looks a dour stayer in the making so connections will be hoping for as much rain as possible to hit the course. Neptune Equester did not impress with his jumping on chasing debut. Woody Valentine appears flattered by his current chase mark. Pamak D'Airy is the pick.
Sarde (FR) 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 5th, not fluent 10th, ridden to lead 3 out, went right next, clear last, stayed on, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chase (4) sft in Mar beating Teddy's Reflection (11-0) by 9l, 4 ran.
Baltic Pathfinder (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Led, mistake 3 out, hard ridden and strongly challenged when fell last, in a race won by Spellchecker (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gd in Mar, 6 ran.
Ginger's Lad 18-1 (10-11) Held up behind, in touch, outpaced 12th, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go moderate 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Pemberton (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) hvy in Mar.
King Fontaine (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, headway to challenge 5 out, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Award Winner (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Neptune Equester 4-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, mistake 1st, not fluent 10th, headway 5 out, soon chasing leaders, staying on under pressure when sprawled on landing and unseated rider last, in a race won by Spellchecker (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gd in Mar, 6 ran.
Pamak D'airy (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place after 8th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Award Winner (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar, 9 ran.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, under pressure 10th, weakened 4 out, last of 7, 39l behind Canada Street (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Woody Valentine (USA) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, weakened after 5th, pulled up before last, tailed off, in a race won by Federstar (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar, 11 ran.
