close up, pushed along before 4 out, one pace from 2 out
led, narrow lead when misake last, headed run-in, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear, in touch 7th, mistake 5 out, challenged and not fluent 2 out, kept on gamely to lead run-in
held up towards rear and keen, ridden before 3 out, ridden and one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, pushed along 5 out, weakened next
held up behind, tracked leader 4th, kept on same pace in 3rd from 2 out
Nonrunner
Rhymers Ha' will almost certainly take advantage of a tumbling handicap mark sooner rather than later and today could be his day. But we are going to give a tentative vote to the more reliable TAHITI PEARL, who may be suited by the drop back to 2m having found little off the bridle over further at Sedgefield last time. Sue Smith's charge still finished ahead of Granville Island that day, however, and may enjoy a fitness advantage over the returning Sacre Toi. Firth Of The Clyde finished a long away ahead of the disappointing Blackwater King when only beaten a length in a novices' handicap at Carlisle last month and is another with decent claims.
Sacre Toi (FR) 5-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, soon in rear, tailed off before 4 out, 6th of 7, 44l behind Conquisto (10-10) at Ayr 2m lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr.
Tahiti Pearl (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 5 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Silver Roque (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft.
Firth Of The Clyde 10-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, led last, ridden and headed run-in, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Definite Dream (10-10) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Granville Island (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, weakened after next, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Silver Roque (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft.
Rhymers Ha' 13-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, soon pushed along, kept on same pace from last, 4th of 6, 6l behind Swift Arrow (11-4) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs.
Alpha One (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Ini touch in 4th, brought down 7th, in a race won by Next Sensation (11-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd, 7 ran.
Blackwater King (IRE) 10-3 (10-13) In rear, mistake 4th, headway before 2 out, weakened from next, 4th of 8, 21l behind Definite Dream (10-10) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.