chase needed, ridden and outpaced 2 out, stayed on strongly flat
led, headed 2 out, kept on
held up, smooth headway 8th, led 2 out, all out
with leader, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened from 8th, tailed off
prominent, lost place 10th
held up, lost place 10th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Akilak looks the one to be on in the opener with Bougoure and Try Catch Paddy others to consider. The selection chased home Lankawi at Sedgefield last time out and as that form has since been franked he looks to have a really solid chance today. He will have no trip or ground problems and he is taken to land the prize. Bougoure rates the main danger as he would have won last time had he not fallen close home. If he gets a clear round he will be thereabouts at the finish but his jumping is a cause for concern and with that nagging doubt we will take him on. Try Catch Paddy was clear of the rest when finishing second behind Waking Ned at Kelso last time and a reproduction of that effort on ground that will suit should make him competitive. Euro American finished well behind Akilak last time out and there is no reason why the placing should be reversed here. We are therefore happy to return to Akilak who is taken as a confident choice.
Akilak (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to lead 12th, headed 2 out, one pace approaching last, 2nd of 12, 12l behind Lankawi (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb.
Bougoure (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Prominent, led approaching 3 out, clear but ridden when fell 2 out in race won by Alright Now M'Lad (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
Euro American (GER) 15-8fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway to dispute lead 4 out, outpaced between last 2, 3rd of 12, 33l behind Lankawi (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb.
Political Cruise 10-3fav (10-5) Held up mid-division, headway after 6th, outpaced from 2 out, 8th of 12, 10l behind Rebelle (11-11) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Tomenoso 18-1 (10-9) Close up until weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 42l behind Camden Bella (9-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Dunguaire Lady (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway 9th, outpaced 3 out, 3rd of 7, 24l behind Chickapeakray (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) sft in Feb.
Red Poker 25-1 (11-4) Always behind, mistake 2nd, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Canada Street (11-4) at Kelso 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
Try Catch Paddy (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Led, pushed along last, ridden and headed over 1f out kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Waking Ned (11-9) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (6) hvy.
