chased leader, led 2nd until 8th, chased leader until approaching 3 out, chased leading pair, one pace and no impression
held up in last pair, never involved
held up in mid-division on inside, slightly hampered 4 out, weakened before next
led until 2nd, chased leader, led again 8th, ridden along before 3 out, joined 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace run-in
chasing leaders when badly hampered and unseated rider 4 out
never better than mid-division, behind before 3 out
chased leaders on outside, outpaced before 3 out, plugged on in 4th, never dangerous
chasing leaders when fell 4 out
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, well held in 5th when fell 2 out
in rear, some late minor headway, never on terms
chased leading pair, mistake 3rd, slightly hampered 4 out, 2nd approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, kept on well and came clear run-in
Arctic Vodka ran easily his best race to date when tackling heavy ground at Carlisle so could do with more rain. Graystown showed nothing in nine starts between the flags which is why he was a 100/1 chance on his hurdling debut here last month but belied those odds with a fine run over a trip that was probably too short. Quick Pick, who scored between the flags, was just a neck in front and is another who will undoubtedly be suited by this longer trip. Uncle Alastair has shown real stamina to land bumpers here and at Wetherby and, with a strong jumping pedigree, this looks certain to be his game. Irish raider VICTORIA SAYS showed potential in two starts over hurdles in March and will have needed her reappearance at Downpatrick last month so gets the vote with her allowance a bonus.
Arctic Vodka 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, joined leader 3 out, ridden to lead next, headed last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Donna's Delight (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) hvy in Oct.
Braes Of Lochalsh 20-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 14 1/4l behind Buonarroti (9-6) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Dunly (FR) 2-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway before 4f out, went 3rd place inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 32l behind Baracalu (11-4) at Hexham 2m mdn (6) hvy in Mar.
Graystown (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway before 5 out, led 3 out, headed before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Better Getalong (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Quick Pick (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden before last, kept on and well held by winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Better Getalong (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Read'em And Weep (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 8th of 10, dist behind Global Stage (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Shtan On (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Ww in mid div, gd prog to chall 2out, ev ch last, not get up late, 2nd of 11, nk behind Ballycross (11-9) at Largy 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Uncle Alastair 8-15fav (11-10) Held up behind, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on to challenge inside final furlong, led narrowly towards finish, won at Ayr 2m (6) sft in Feb beating Dunly (10-7) by nk, 8 ran.
Olivia Joan 150-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, dist behind Global Stage (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Side Of The Road (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, went 7th before 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, dist behind Miss Night Owl (11-4) at Perth 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Victoria Says (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, 9th before 5 out, improved into 7th before 3 out and pushed along after next, 5th before last and soon ridden in 4th, kept on without threatening run-in, 4th of 13, 13l behind Out Of The Loop (11-8) at Downpatrick 2m 3f mdn Yielding in Oct.
