made all, not jumped well early, ridden clear 2 out, unchallenged
in touch, hit 3rd, weakened 5th, behind and jumped left final 3 flights
held up, weakened, after 4 out
mid-division, weakened and hit 4 out
jumped left throughout, in rear, hit 4 out, headway next, ridden and kept on to go a poor 3rd near finish
keen, soon in touch, weakened 4 out pulled up before next
chased winner, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
held up in touch, headway to go 3rd 4 out, ridden next, weakened 2 out, lost 3rd near finish
held up towards rear, some headway 4th, weakened 4 out
With the yard in cracking form we will just take OVERTURN to concede 6lbs and finish ahead of Si Bien, while Devotion To Duty looks the most interesting of their opponents. The selection sets the benchmark here after a wide-margin win on good ground over course and distance last time. The assessor rated that effort good enough to raise him by 20lbs, and there is every chance that he will show further improvement, with his trainer keeping his string in great shape. He looks one to follow at present, even with the penalty, though we certainly respect the claims of Si Bien, who is 2lbs better off than if this race were a handicap. James Ewart's gelding also won over course and distance last time and acts on good going. His effort may not have been so eyecatching, but he has been progressing steadily and is solid forecast material for those wishing to play that way. Devotion To Duty, a former Barry Hills inmate on the Flat, where he was rated 87 after a maiden win on good to soft, now makes his hurdling debut for Lucinda Russell. Clearly he has to prove he can jump the obstacles with some fluency, and also his record fresh so far has not been great. However, he clearly has ability and also the stamina for further than this, while he will act on the ground. A market check is advised. Bere Davis acts on fast ground on the level, but all of his best form is over a mile, and he has to come into the category of doubtul stayer. World Of Events drops back in trip, which looks a positive, and he will act on the ground, but he has plenty to find on what we have seen and Overturn is the one to be on.
Overturn (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Made all, clear from 4 out, unchallenged, won at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf beating New Tricks (11-4) by 20l, 10 ran.
Bere Davis (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway after 2 out, no impression, 5th of 13, 24l behind Quatro Pierji (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Danehill Silver 40-1 (11-0) Held up, weakened from 5th, 9th of 11, well behind Numero Due (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sep '08.
Intersky Charm (USA) 150-1 (10-8) Mid-division on outside, chased leaders 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened before last, 13th of 16, well behind King O'the Gypsies (11-1) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Malin Bay (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, lost place over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 28l behind Tale Of Tanganyika (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Nesno (USA) 66-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, blundered 4th, weakened after 3 out, 11th of 14, well behind My Shamwari (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Si Bien (FR) 6-5fav (10-12) Keen in touch, mistake 6th, ridden to lead 2out, headed last kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Drussell (11-0) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Sundown Trail (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, never a factor, 9th of 15, well behind Tara Royal (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
World Of Events (USA) 25-1 (11-2) Held up, towards rear, not fluent 2nd, pushed along in 4th approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 8, 28l behind Last Of The Bunch (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gd in Feb.
Devotion To Duty (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and some headway 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 18, 13l behind Trip The Light (9-5) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct (flat).
