in touch, ridden after 4 out, rallied next, kept on same pace from 2 out, no impression
held up, shaken up before 3 out, soon beaten and eased
chased winner to 6th, soon outpaced, weakened after 4 out
in touch, chased winner 6th to before 3 out, soon weakened
behind, outpaced when hit 4 out, never dangerous
behind, struggling 6th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, went 2nd when hit 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure flat, not reached winner
mid-division, smooth headway 4 out, ridden next, soon beaten
made all, clear from 2nd, ridden and 4 lengths clear when not fluent 2 out, held on under pressure towards finish
held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, never near leaders
in touch, lost place 7th, soon outpaced, beaten when hit 3 out
MERRYDOWN can defy his penalty though Crackerjack Lad and Lie Forrit bring winning form to the table. Nicky Richards' charge won well at Kelso earlier in the month and was fully deserving of that success given that he had placed behind useful types previously. There appears to be no more to do here. Crackerjack Lad was a shock 25/1 winner of a bumper at Wetherby. He appears the type that will appreciate a longer trip in time. Lie Forrit won a bumper at 100/1 at Carlisle and proved that was no fluke by defying a penalty at Hexham. The ground offers few worries. Chief Scout is yet to score but has ran creditably in novice hurdles in the past. He has place claims on that evidence. Giant Star makes a welcome drop in class. Mr Woods did make a couple of errors at Kelso but he deserved credit for a tenacious display under the circumstances. Too Cool To Fool was supported as if something of note was expected in a bumper in February. The bookies' satchels were never threatened. Merrydown is the confident call.
Merrydown (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, smooth headway and every chance 2 out, led last, driven out flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Tricky Trickster (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
All Out For Seven (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, some headway approaching next, never dangerous, 6th of 16, 11l behind Bolodenka (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Chief Scout 28-1 (10-9) Led until after 2nd, outpaced from 2 out, 5th of 16, 10l behind Bolodenka (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Crackerjack Lad (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Behind, headway 9f out, led over 3f out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb beating Randolf (11-4) by 2l, 19 ran.
Giant Star (USA) 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear and mistakes, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 16, 29l behind Burnt Oak (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Hold On Julio (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Merrydown (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft, 11 ran.
Lie Forrit (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) In touch, outpaced over 5f out, rallied over 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Hexham 2m nhf (6) hvy beating Glenwood Knight (11-2) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Lugato (GER) 14-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, ridden in 6th before straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 15l behind Lucky At Last (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdle hvy.
Mr Woods 28-1 (10-12) Chased winner, blundered 2nd, every chance last, no extra flat, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Frankie Figg (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct '07.
Too Cool To Fool (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up, never dangerous, 5th of 11, well behind Charity Lane (10-13) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Lady Chatelaine (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) fell 4 out in race won by Grand Theatre (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft, 10 ran.
