held up, headway 5th, blundered and lost place 7th, hit next, 6th when not fluent 12th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
prominent until jumped slowly 2nd, headway on outside 10th, lost place and ridden next, weakened after 12th, tailed off
with leader, mistake 2nd, led 8th until 10th, led 11th until next, weakened 2 out, tailed off
fell 1st
in touch 3rd, pushed along after 10th, stayed on to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression flat
led until 6th, ridden and lost place before 9th, soon weakened, pulled up before 11th
prominent, not fluent and lost several places 3rd, not fluent next, close up again after 9th, led 4 out, in command from 2 out, ridden clear flat
held up towards rear, headway 8th, not fluent next, disputed 2nd approaching 2 out until last, no extra
prominent, led 6th until 8th, led 10th until 11th, led 12th, headed 4 out, weakened after 2 out
BENE LAD is on a roll and can complete the hat-trick at the main expense of The Panama Kid and Smugglers Bay. Jim Goldie's gelding looks beautifully weighted as he steps up in grade today and the ground will be right up his street. He is 9lb higher than when scoring at Kelso last time but earned it and another bold run is expected. Smugglers Bay has the blinkers back on and he looks fairly weighted as he returns to handicap company, Star Beat improved to win at Catterick last time but that was a much weaker race and he is opposed, whilst Work Boy should relish this course and ran well in defeat at Carlisle last month. Prideus has an unconvincing profile, Marcus is not the force of old and he finds it hard to win although his place form reads well, whilst The Panama Kid ran well at Bangor last time and it won't be long before he breaks his duck over fences. Kauto The Kid has his first start in the UK this afternoon and this half-brother to the great Kauto Star will be the centre of attention. He makes his chasing debut today but whilst he may be leniently handicapped he is unlikely to be a great price. Intriguing stuff, with the vote going to Bene Lad.
The Panama Kid (IRE) 10-3 (10-10) Held up behind, headway to track leading pair 8th, hit 4 out, chased leader after 2 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Edgbriar (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Marcus 7-2 (10-12) In touch on outside, jumped left 2nd, blundered and reminder 6th, hit next, jumped slowly 9th, went clear 2nd next, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden and no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Noun De La Thinte (9-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Mar.
Prideus (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, led after 11th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Prince Taime (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd.
Kauto The Kid (FR) (10-7) 4th of 20, 14l behind Badiglio (10-3) at Enghien(FR) 2m 1f hdl hvy in Mar '09.
Work Boy 4-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, every chance next, edged left last, kept on same pace flat, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 9, 5l behind Award Winner (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Star Beat 4-1 (11-8) Chased leader, led after 8th, headed 9th, led again approaching 12th, clear approachind 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar beating The Brig At Ayr (10-0) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Phone In 18-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 11th, 7th of 10, well behind Something Silver (10-10) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) 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, 5th of 8, 19l behind King Fontaine (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Bene Lad (IRE) 15-8fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, challenged last, soon led, driven clear flat, eased near finish, comfortably, won at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar beating Paddys Unyoke (10-1) by 4l, 7 ran.
