in touch, chased leaders 6th, ridden to chase winner from 2 out, no impression
held up mid-division, weakened halfway
held up, mistake 3rd, soon struggling, pulled up before 9th
prominent, led 10th, drew clear approaching last
led until fell 5th
in touch, badly hampered and unseated rider 5th
tracked leaders, fell 5th
chased leader, left in lead 5th, headed 10th, one pace
Noir Et Vert is on a recovery mission but he is preferred on this occasion to Bog Oak and Roobihoo. The selection floundered badly on soft going at Newcastle but had been backed as if defeat were out of the question. If Ferdy Murphy has been able to get to the bottom of those woes, a reproduction of his Musselburgh form should suffice. Bog Oak has to be respected as a raider from Charlie Swan's yard in Ireland. A win record of 0 from 10 in chases is offputting and the percentage call looks to oppose. Roobihoo has shown signs of ability in the past but his recent run at Carlisle was very typical of what we have seen in recent months. A tendancy to travel well in his races being tempered by the inability to find anything once off the bridle. Political Cruise was scheduled to run on Sunday so may be a doubtful runner. Totally Scottish is having only his second run over fences but is well beyond "novice" category at 11 years of age. Too Much Talk flopped on rules debut but was sent off favourite on the evidence of previous races in points. Front running, Hidden Legend, ran out of steam on chasing debut and is likely to get no peace upfront this afternoon. A modest race to get matters underway and Noir Et Vert is taken to score if reproducing his better form.
Bog Oak (IRE) 7-2 (10-1) Held up in touch, headway 10th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 7, 28l behind Little Big Horse (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Cul La Balla (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division, hit 8th, jumped left and lost place 10th, behind when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Kilty Storm (11-6) at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov chs (4) hvy in Dec, 7 ran.
Hidden Legend (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until lost place 7th, tailed when pulled up 3 out in race won by Arctic Ghost (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Noir Et Vert (FR) 8-11fav (11-5) Held up in touch, headway 10th, effort 5 out, ridden and outpaced approaching next, soon beaten, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Crackadee (11-5) at Newcastle 3m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
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.
Redworth Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, outpaced 11th, soon beaten, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Aces Four (11-6) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (3) gs in Nov, 5 ran.
Roobihoo (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) With leader, led 5th, headed after 4 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 5, 31l behind See You There (11-13) at Carlisle 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Mar.
Too Much Talk (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Held up, weakened 13th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Swift Thyne (11-4) at Catterick 3m 1f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb, 11 ran.
Totally Scottish 28-1 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 16, 28l behind Mckelvey (11-5) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Uncle Neil (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) With leader, weakened after 5 out, 4th of 7, 30l behind First Look (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Mar.
Political Cruise 28-1 (11-2) With leader, ridden and weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, 24l behind Euro American (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Mar.
