tracked leader, led 9th, hit 2 out, driven out from last
in touch, effort 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before last
led, headed 9th, behind when blundered 3 out, pulled up before last
held up, effort 3 out, driven, no impression from next
prominent, went 2nd 3 out, stayed on one pace from last
tracked leaders, lost place 7th, behind from 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden 10th, well behind from 4 out
Pamak D'airy has the highest rating of these over fences and run creditably in all four starts over the larger obstacles this term, latterly behind the in-form Sa Suffit at Catterick in January, and he has to be respected but marginal preference is for CHECKERBOARD, who gets the verdict ahead of Cash Man. Evelyn Slack's gelding has run better in his last two starts and may do better now that he races on a faster surface, over a trip that suits. Point-to-point winner Esme Rides A Gaine has yet to translate point form to rules racing, while Linlithgow Lad ran better at Wetherby last time but this is tougher. Sotovik has failed to complete in his two starts this term but would have claims if able to reproduce his hurdles form of two years ago. This is not the strongest of contests and is taken to go to Checkerboard. Howard Johnson's gelding has run well enough in testing ground on his last two starts but should relish the underfoot conditions today and he looks worth supporting provided that the rain does not fall.
Cash Man (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 2 out, ridden and weakened flat, 4th of 6, 6l behind Cantgeton (11-4) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Checkerboard (IRE) 6-4 (11-0) Led, jumped well, ridden approaching last, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 7l behind La Pantera Rosa (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 5f beg chs (4) hvy.
Linlithgow Lad 8-1 (10-9) Led, mistake 5th, headed 5 out, beaten approaching 2 out, last of 2, 9l behind Striking Article (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd.
Pamak D'airy (FR) 17-2 (10-9) In touch, effort approaching 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 5th of 16, 20l behind Sa Suffit (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs in Jan.
Sotovik (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Held up, outpaced 5 out, soon beaten and pulled up 2 out in race won by Corlande (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy, 5 ran.
Treehouse 66-1 (11-0) Held up, reminders 11th, tailed off from 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Chief Dan George (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Feb.
Esme Rides A Gaine 100-1 (10-7) Led, ridden, headed approaching 3 out, soon no extra, 4th of 9, 25l behind Chief Dan George (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Feb.
