tracked leader, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, blundered when held last, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, 4th 3 out, headway next, went 2nd after last, kept on, not reached winner
led, headed after 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching next, pulled up soon after
held up towards rear, reminders after 5th, soon driven and lost place, tailed off when pulled before 3 out
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden approaching and mistake next, stayed on well from last
held up in mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up soon after
held up behind, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, reminders after 5th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
HIDDEN KEEL is narrowly preferred here to Kellystown Lad and Laureldean River in a battle of the previous winners, although Gilbarry and Woodmore are no back numbers. Charlie Longsdon's gelding steps up slightly in trip today which should be in his favour given the way he rallied near the line when winning at Doncaster. A winner of a bumper on good ground, this five-year-old is fancied to run a big race despite his winners' penalty. Also penalised are Kellystown Lad and Laureldean River; the pair clashed last time out at the track where the latter came off best but with a 6lb pull in the weights there may be little between them today. Woodmore is a stablemate of Laureldean River and the stable do well at the track. This Luso gelding was held when falling at Doncaster last time but this former Irish bumper winner is respected now dropping in trip. Gilbarry was fifth to Hidden Keel in February and has since run well at Kelso so is not ignored, along with World Of Events and Favours Brave who both remain capable of better. Not an easy puzzle to solve, but the vote goes to Hidden Keel.
Hidden Keel 11-10fav (11-2) Led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, regained lead last, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Irish Symphony (10-6) by nk, 11 ran.
Kellystown Lad (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, went 3rd after 3, 15 lenghts down 3 out, closed to chase winner 2 out, every chance last, wandered both ways flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Laureldean River (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Laureldean River (IRE) 9-4 (11-1) Made all, ridden after 2 out, edged left flat, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Kellystown Lad (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Botany Cove 33-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Coastley (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f am nov hdl (4) gf.
Gilbarry (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, tracked leaders after 5th, effort to chase winner 2 out, soon ridden, kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Hold Fast (11-7) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Woodmore (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened approaching 3 out, fell 2 out, in a race won by Cool Mission (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
World Of Events (USA) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway to go 3rd 4 out, ridden next, weakened 2 out, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 10, 27l behind Overturn (11-6) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Favours Brave 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, progress after 3rd last, stayed on well, never nearer, 3rd of 15, 28l behind Conquisto (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Beat In Time 40-1 (10-7) Disputed lead, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 19l behind Silvers Spirit (10-7) at Southwell 2m mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs in Jan.
