tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, went 2nd 4th, hit 8th, every chance 3 out, beaten next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 9th, weakened appraoching 3 out
held up in touch, stumbled after 9th, 3rd and hanging left before 3, challenged next, soon led, stayed on well to draw clear flat
chased leader until 4th, lost place after 7th, rear when blundered and unseated rider 9th
mid-division, pushed along and dropped rear after 2nd, struggling 8th, stayed on to go 4th 3 out, no impression on leaders, went 3rd flat until post
in rear, ridden 8th, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd post, no impression
led until 9th, weakened 3 out
in touch, lost place after 6th, rear when blundered badly 7th, tailed off
towards rear, mistake 2nd, slipped and fell after 3rd
ran in snatches, mid-division, not always fluent, struggling 9th
held up in rear, headway on outside after 6th, led 9th, stumbled slightly soon after, mistake 2 out, soon headed, not fluent last, no impression on winner flat
From a shortlist of Federstar, Delightfully and BLEU POIS, we are happy to side with the last-named. Howard Johnson has a decent record at this meeting and this son of Pistolet Bleu is better than we have seen of late. As a result of some less than spectacular performances his handicap mark has dropped and now returned to good ground and dropped back in trip he is expected to run well. Delightfully is very consistent and whilst she doesn't win often she cannot be overlooked, along with Appeal Denied who has his sights lowered this afternoon. Solway Minstrel is edging back down to a winnable mark and cheek-pieces are applied, a return to Ayr will suit Watercolours, whilst Federstar is chasing a hat-trick and looks an obvious player. His two recent wins in the North of England have come on softer ground but if he handles this going then he won't be far away. Captain Americo has threatened to win a decent handicap but is yet to do so, whilst Sheriff Hutton flopped over fences when last seen but is capable of better now returned to hurdles. An open affair once again, but the win can go to Bleu Pois.
Captain Americo (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, under pressure 5th, soon beaten, 11th of 12, 50l behind Alderluck (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Sheriff Hutton (IRE) 9-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, 25l behind Salut Flo (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Native Coral (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by Mister Marker (10-6) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar, 15 ran.
Federstar (GER) 2-1fav (11-6) Always prominent, led approaching 3rd until 5th, led 7th until 3 out, remained challenging, led last, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy beating Diamond Brook (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Currahee 8-1 (11-3) Towards rear, pushed along approaching 6th, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 49l behind Federstar (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Sirkeel (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Mid-division on inside, pushed along before 7th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Humbie (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
Watercolours (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, lost place after 7th, no danger after, 8th of 15, well behind Mister Marker (10-6) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Solway Minstrel 2-1fav (11-5) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Palos Conti (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Appeal Denied (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Always behind, last of 14, well behind Ramsden Boy (10-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Delightfully (FR) 18-1 (11-4) In rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Diavoleria (11-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Mar.
Bleu Pois (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Towards rear, some headway 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 6th of 14, 28l behind Quay Meadow (10-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Its Tough (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) In rear, struggling 7th, stayed on from 2 out, never near leaders, 5th of 12, 27l behind Humbie (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
