led, headed and not fluent 13th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, blundered 2nd and 4th, pulled up after 4th
chased leaders, left 2nd at 11th, led 6 out, kept on well
held up, headway 11th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
always behind, reminders halfway, pulled up before 12th
held up, blundered 11th, pulled up before 13th
in 2nd when unseated rider 11th
unseated 1st
weakened from 11th, pulled up before 4 out
always behind, pulled up before 13th
A difficult race to call and Kalmo Bay could be the percentage pick versus Lethem Air and Something Silver. Ferdy Murphy's charge was probably a little overcooked as far as waiting tactics were concerned last time out but the presence of Graham Lee bodes well and the market is accordingly watched. Lethem Air has won over this trip on fast ground. He has also won with significant cut in the ground. He doesn't win often and James Reveley is tried in the saddle to spark a change of form. Scrappie probably has ability although his jumping is not particularly fluent. Something Silver is better over hurdles than chase fences. This isn't a strong race. We probably haven't seen the best of Chapel Flowers but he is impeccably bred and should have few problems with this trip on breeding. Kalmo Bay would not be the most bombproof of selections but if he improves for the step up in trip, he would be difficult to beat.
Lethem Air 16-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led 6th, mistake when headed 4 out, soon one pace, 4th of 11, 16l behind Bafana Boy (11-2) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Kirkside Pleasure (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Led, headed when mistake last, one pace under pressure, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Just For Men (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Silent Bay 7-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, effort 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 7, 24l behind Scribano Eile (10-4) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Scrappie (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Mistakes, chased leaders, effort 3 out, one pace next, 4th of 9, 14l behind Just For Men (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Kalmo Bay (FR) 13-2 (11-7) In rear, headway approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 13, 8l behind Saunders Road (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Chapel Flowers (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) In touch, weakened after 4th, 7th of 12, 27l behind Rightway Star (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Something Silver 2-1fav (10-0) Led, soon clear, not fluent 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Jefertiti (10-6) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Drumintine (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 7th of 15, 22l behind Green Wellies (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 7f mdn hts chs gd in Dec.
Stormont Dawn (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Held up, blundered 2nd, ridden 8th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Brickies Mate (11-1) at Perth 3m hdl (4) gd in May, 10 ran.
Happy Boy (IRE) 150-1 (10-13) Struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Rathowen (11-2) at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
