towards rear, struggling 16th, never dangerous
mid-division, dropped to rear 10th, struggling 13th, blundered 15th, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace from next
towards rear, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed after last, kept on
mid-division, headway 9th, close up 3 out, led flat, kept on
tracked leaders, lost place 10th, soon behind
in touch, lost place 16th, outpaced 4 out, left 4th and no impression when hampered last
not jumped well, prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, weakening when hampered last
held up in rear, headway and effort approaching 3 out, 3rd and no impression when fell last
towards rear, headway 16th, effort approaching 3 out, no further progress
Shulmin, Ryminster and Has Scored are three against the field in this competitive handicap chase and the narrow vote is given to the progressive Shulmin. The selection has won his last two races in good style notably when beating I'm You're Man. Granted he is rising in the weights but he again has conditions to suit and he is taken to defy the handicapper. Ryminster rates the main danger on his latest second behind Dickie Lewis. He again has ground conditions in his favour and will not be far away. Has Scored is another last time out winner as he also beat Dickie Lewis last time and on a line through that horse he is another with definite place claims. Harlov is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is weighted up to his best. Of the remainder Emerald Destiny was behind Ryminster last time but is weighted to get closer here. This is wide open and few can be ruled out but Shulmin is our idea of the winner.
Ryminster 7-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, outpaced 5 out, rallied next, stayed on from last, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Dickie Lewis (10-13) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Apr.
Classic Clover 11-2 (10-8) Chased leaders, went 3rd 16th, soon ridden, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 9, 33l behind Even More (11-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Apr.
New Perk (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 11th, driven along from 14th, outpaced from 3 out, 4th of 8, 17l behind Present M'lord (11-6) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Apr.
Emerald Destiny (IRE) 10-3fav (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden and effort 2 out, chased leader approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Ryminster (10-11) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Innisfree (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) In touch, outpaced 13th, hampered next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Strong Resolve (11-12) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Harlov (FR) 7-1 (11-7) In touch, left 4 lengths 2nd 5 out, soon outpaced, no impression from 3 out, 2nd of 8, 30l behind Natiain (11-13) at Perth 3m 7f hts chs (5) gs in Apr.
Skenfrith 8-1 (11-5) Not fluent, chased leaders, driven 8th, soon weakened and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Ballynure (9-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar, 13 ran.
Has Scored (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) With leader, led 3 out, 7 lengths clear when hit last, kept on, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar beating Dickie Lewis (11-7) by 7l, 9 ran.
Madam Harriet 4-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, prominent 6th, led 8th, drew clear from 2 out, driven out from last, comfortably, won at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Apr beating Solemn Vow (9-9) by 15l, 8 ran.
Kyalami (FR) 14-1 (10-6) Led to 7th, remained close up, outpaced approaching 4 out, rallied 3 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 10l behind Sparkling Taff (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Shulmin 13-2 (10-6) Held up, headway 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead soon after last, held on near finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Apr beating I'm Your Man (10-6) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
