led, soon clear, headed and 1 length down when fell last
chased clear leaders, outpaced 3rd, left poor 3rd last
in touch, mistake, unseated rider 1st
soon tailed off, pulled up before last
soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
chased clear leaders, outpaced 3rd, left poor 2nd last
First Look can put his experience to good effect over Bally Brakes and newcomer Allistathebarrista. The latter is preferred by Dominic Elsworth of the two Sue Smith runners, but looks a chaser in the making on breeding, and on all known evidence, First Look is going to take all the beating. Peter Monteith's six-year-old has won two of his last four outings over timber, but was anchored by his big weight when beaten in a Kelso handicap last month. Granted, he has a double penalty carry here, but is back amongst the novices, none of whom look capable of giving him a race apart from Bally Brakes. The former point winner has changed stables since finishing fifth at Ayr on his bumper debut last December behind the Nicky Richards-trained Young Albert. Indeed he is now housed himself at Greystoke and will be one to note after a few more runs. On this occasion though, he and the rest will surely struggle to contain First Look who gets a confident vote.
Ballybrakes (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, hung left and one pace final 2f, 5th of 19, 14l behind Young Albert (11-4) at Ayr 2m nhf (H) sft in Dec.
Little Vantage 80-1 (10-13) Held up, lost pace 5f out, last of 8, 47l behind Lindbergh Law (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Jun.
Silent Bay 20-1 (10-13) Led to before 3rd, chased winner until lost place approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden and kept on from next, no impression, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Nikola (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Red Square Run 25-1 (10-11) Chased leader, lost place over 5f out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 9, well behind Harbour Breeze (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy in Mar.
Is There More 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, pushed along and lost place after 6f, soon behind, 10th of 16, well behind Amaretto Rose (11-2) at Towcester 2m mrs nhf (5) sft in Feb.
First Look (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Held up, outpaced 6th, headway 3 out, no impression approaching last, 5th of 9, 22l behind Harmony Brig (11-9) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Allistathebarrista (IRE) Leading Counsel gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Prince Buck.
Guess What 80-1 (10-12) In touch, headway over 4f out, soon outpaced, 8th of 15, 34l behind Astarador (10-2) at Catterick 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan.
