led to 4th, weakened after 8th
mid-division, effort 4 out, no impression
close up, led 4th, ridden and under pressure from 3 out, kept on well
held up, headway 8th, every chance 3 out, upsides when fell next
always behind, mistakes, tailed off from halfway
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out
behind, headway after 4 out, kept on from 2 out, no impression
in touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, left 2 lengths down in 2nd next, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, kept on from last
always behind, tailed off
behind and keen, not fluent, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
mid-division, weakened after 7th, pulled up before next
held up, smooth headway approaching 8th, blundered next, soon beaten, tailed off when pulled up before last
Show Me The River gets the confident vote here with Air of Affection and Uptown Lad rating the main dangers. The selection was a good second behind Polyphon in a handicap last time out. This looks easier and under conditions that suit he need only run up to that mark to score. Air Of Affection rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Harmony Brig but she has had plenty of similar chances of late without taking one and at likely odds he again looks worth taking on.Uptown Lad is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is pretty placeless and again he looks vulnerable. Of the remainder Hollows Mill has the ability to go close on his best form but he may just need the run after a 546 day absence and with this in mind for the winner we return to Show Me The River.
Firion King (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Chased leaders to 8th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Red Man (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Mar, 9 ran.
Hollows Mist 9-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and weakened next, 9th of 13, well behind Sobraon (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct '04.
Lucky Duck 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led after 4th, headed when fell at the 8th in race won by Welcome To Unos (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) gd in Jan, 12 ran.
Lunar Dram 9-1 (11-2) In touch when fell at the 5th in race won by Red Man (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Mar, 9 ran.
Magic Bengie 50-1 (11-2) Led 1st, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 17, 41l behind Beau Torero (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Mar.
Native Coll 200-1 (10-12) In touch, weakening from 7th, tailed off, 13th of 17, well behind Love That Benny (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Political Cruise 10-1 (10-1) In touch, ridden 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead last, just held on, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar beating Lago (10-5) by a shd, 13 ran.
Show Me The River 11-4fav (11-12) Led, headed approaching 4th, ridden after 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Polyphon (11-10) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Uptown Lad (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next, 6th of 17, 23l behind Imtihan (10-7) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Viking Song 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until fell at the 2nd in race won by Persian Point (10-13) at Catterick 2m mdn chs (4) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Hialeah 5-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced approaching 2 out, 6th of 9, well behind Red Man (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Mar.
Komoto 33-1 (10-7) Always behind, 19th of 25, well behind The Black Mouse (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-102 sft in Jan.
Air of Affection 20-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, led 4th, headed approaching 6th, one pace, 4th of 9, 20l behind Harmony Brig (11-9) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Mar.
