held up, smooth headway to track leader 3 out, ridden and led 2 out, driven out flat
always behind, reminders 9th, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, went 2nd last, one pace flat
always behind, effort 7th, soon beaten
prominent, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on flat to go 2nd post
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened from next
led, ridden 3 out, headed next, kept on one pace
Loita Hills created quite an impression when landing what was an ordinary handicap chase at Market Rasen last time and this contest looks at his mercy. That performace last time obviously impressed the handicapper, so much so he has given Loita Hills a hike of 12lb but this improving sort can land this. The Royal Dub has yet to get off the mark over fences and is an exposed horse who will struggle to pick up a chase while Spirit Calling won an ordinary handicap last time around this track and has more on his plate here. Stravaigin merits respect at the foot of the handicap but Loita Hills is a confident selection.
Loita Hills (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up, headway 7th, led 3 out, drew clear after 2 out, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May beating Stagecoach Amber (11-4) by 14l, 9 ran.
Jamie's Boy (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Always behind, trailing when bad mistake 6 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Dosco (11-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gs in Mar.
Spirit Calling (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Close up on outside, headway 4 out, led narrowly after 2 out, ridden last, held on under pressure flat, won at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Apr beating Top Dressing (11-7) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
The Royal Dub (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Held up in rear, progress into 6th before 3 out, no impression from before next, 6th of 10, 13l behind The Joker (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp chs 0-123 gs in Mar.
Beau Saddler 12-1 (10-10) In touch, dropped to rear 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Quality Control (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar, 17 ran.
Newbay Bob 6-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 4 out, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 37l behind Alert The Earth (10-11) at Downpatrick 2m 5f hts chs gd in Feb.
Not A Trace (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, lost place 9th, ridden and weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Commercial Express (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Jul, 8 ran.
Stravaigin 7-2jt-fav (11-6) Mistakes, mid-division, pushed along 10th, outpaced 4 out, rallied to chase winner after last until no extra towards finish, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Stoneriggs Merc (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in May.
