made most until 2 out, led again last, driven out
held up in rear, headway to join leader 10th, led 2 out, headed last, kept on
tracked leaders, struggling from 10th
soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
held up, went remote 3rd 4 out, weakened and lost 3rd run-in
with leaders, hit 9th, weakened 14th, pulled up before 4 out
Bang And Blame gets the call over Jimmy Bond and Sharp Belline, with Bannister Lane and Viciana not to be totally discounted. Bang And Blame proved himself a decent staying chaser last term, landing among four victories a three-and-a-half mile affair at Market Rasen. Subsequently pulled up at Kelso in April, he has not been out since, and although likely to benefit from the run, is worth keeping on the right side, especially if there is support for Mick Easterby's 10-year-old. Jimmy Bond was a progressive novice, and ran well enough until falling in the race won by King Killone here last time, while Sharp Belline will be all the better for a blow-out over hurdles here, and has past course-and-distance form. Bannister Lane has time on his side and can benefit from a step up in trip to run well, and Viciana was a consistent novice chaser last term, so has to be mentioned on her return. She does seem to go better right-handed, but was second over hurdles here for a different stable. Jungle Jinks has it to do off topweight, and in a race of ifs and buts, Bang And Blame is saddled with the vote.
Jungle Jinks (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Led, headed 8th, reminded after next, remained close up, outpaced 5 out, kept on from next, no impression, 3rd of 9, 13l behind King Killone (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Jimmy Bond 11-2 (10-10) Held up, chased leaders 8th and fell at the 10th in race won by King Killone (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs, 9 ran.
Bannister Lane 7-1 (11-6) Led to 5th, chased leader until weakened 10th, 7th of 8, 49l behind Abragante (11-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Bang And Blame (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Prominent, led 7th to 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Rosie Redman (11-9) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Sharp Belline (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, chased winner after 3rd until ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 6th of 12, 24l behind Monsieur (10-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Viciana 4-5fav (11-0) Led to 2nd, led again 6th, ridden after 2 out, all out, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) gd in Feb beating Lizzie Bathwick (10-9) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Doris's Gift 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ridden approaching next, gradually weakened, 4th of 10, 22l behind Orki Des Aigles (10-2) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.