tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, blundered 1st, soon unseated rider
mid-division, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, keen early, ridden and hit 2 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, smooth headway and every chance 2 out, led last, driven out flat
tracked leader, every chance 2 out, soon led, hit and headed last, no extra flat
tracked leaders, blundered 5th and 6th, struggling from 4 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders until weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, every chance last, driven and edged right flat, no extra
held up, effort after 6th, beaten from 4 out
MERRYDOWN second behind the promising Door Boy at Kelso last time out can make it second time lucky here. Knockara Beau's outing at Aintree last time is best forgotten as he raced very keenly perhaps owing to freshness while Tricky Trickster, an Irish point-to-point winner travelled well to a point on his racecourse debut at Exeter before emptying out in the straight. Merrydown saw out the trip very well on his seasonal debut while also proving himself adaptable on an easy surface having won and finished second in bumpers on sounder surfaces. Tricky Trickster, a 40,000 Guineas purchase at the Brightwell Sales in April ran creditably on debut and was quite possibly in need of the run. His victory between the flags was achieved on a quicker surface to today. Knockara Beau brings strong bumper form into this season but he emptied alarmingly at Aintree two weeks ago. He continually shaped as one that would come into his own over staying trips. He should be all the better for the run but the testing ground on offer will not favour him. Sandhills, a rare cheap purchase for this yard is another to consider but Merrydown is the selection.
Ballybart (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, challenged over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 24l behind Bygones of Brid (10-13) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) sft in Oct.
Clandestino (FR) 200-1 (11-4) Towards rear, weakened halfway, virtually pulled up, 8th of 11, well behind Wild Cane Ridge (11-11) at Ayr 2m nhf (H) sft in Apr '04.
Hold On Julio (IRE) Blueprint gelding out of Eileens Native.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 4 out, blundered next when weakening and pulled up 2 out in race won by Massasoit (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Oct, 16 ran.
Merrydown (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) In touch, headway and not fluent last, stayed on to chase winner flat, kept on, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Door Boy (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Political Paddy 12-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders to 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 42l behind Gray Mountain (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Putitawayforayear (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always rear, 7th of 15, well behind Doeslessthanme (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Robbie Dye 7-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Little Lu (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3f nh mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Sandhills (IRE) Bob Back gelding out of Isotonia.
Tricky Trickster (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 3l behind Cresswell Ruby (10-10) at Exeter 2m 7f amt nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Ceilidh Lass (FR) 80-1 (9-9) Always behind, 11th of 15, 36l behind Schelm (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
