held up in touch, led 2nd, jumped left 8th, ridden approaching last, headed flat, no extra
held up in rear, headway 6 out, hit 11th, no impression
tracked leaders, weakening when hit 5 out
towards rear, fell 10th
held up in touch, weakened approaching 12th
with leader, lost place from 7th, kept on from 4 out, no impression
held up towards rear, pushed along half way, weakened 13th
led to 2nd, tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to lead flat
A tricky race to call, with stamina doubts over a few of them, fitness doubts over others, and we'll side with MINSTER SHADOW to have the measure of Prince De Beauchene, Newman Des Plages and Master Sebastian. The last-named is on the same mark as when successful over this track in February 2008, and if retaining that ability after a 20-month break, he could go close. However, he has never won when fresh and is likely to need this run. Prince De Beauchene acted well on soft ground and stayed almost this far in one of his hurdle races at Kelso last season. His form looks very solid and he has youth on his side, but you are guessing to some extent as to whether he is well handicapped on his chase debut today. Martin Todunter's Newman Des Plages had the measure of Mister Potter over 2m 4f here earlier in the month and he has gone up 3lbs for that. He should remain competitive, though he still has to prove that he truly stays this far. Teeming Rain clearly has some ability, but is very difficult to catch right. He could be the fly-in-the-ointment because he stays very well and acts with cut, though having completed in just two of his last nine starts he is clearly not to be trusted. Reel Charmer looks in the grip of the assessor, and preference is for Minster Shadow. Chris Grant's charge will surely benefit from his reappearance run, and he is now 5lbs lower than when scoring over course and distance in February of last year. He relishes soft ground and may be the one to catch right today.
Prince De Beauchene (FR) 13-8 (11-6) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, clear last, pushed out flat, won at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Bracken Lad (11-6) by 7l, 11 ran.
Himalayan Trail 14-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, headway to join leaders when hit 10th, driven and outpaced when hampered 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 39l behind Zitenka (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Minster Shadow 50-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 6 out, 6th of 7, 48l behind Money Trix (11-10) at Carlisle 3m grad ch (2) sft.
Teeming Rain (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Always behind pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Silver By Nature (11-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft, 14 ran.
Reel Charmer 11-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, effort before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, well behind Silver By Nature (11-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Newman Des Plages (FR) 9-1 (11-2) With leader, lost place 10th, headway approaching last, stayed on well to lead near finish, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft beating Mister Potter (11-8) by hd, 11 ran.
Master Sebastian 16-1 (11-6) Behind, effort 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 16, 20l behind Star Player (10-12) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar '08.
Huka Lodge (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) In touch, pushed along and outpaced approaching 9th, blundered 6 out, weakened next, 6th of 12, 45l behind Chabrimal Minster (11-12) at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp ch 0-125 (3) sft in May.