made all, not fluent 3 out, hard ridden next, stayed on well
chased leaders, effort 3 out, mistake next, ran on closing stages, never reached winner
tracked leader, effort approaching last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
held up in touch, lost place 4 out, modest 4th
pulled hard in rear, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Apachee Prince has posted two improved efforts of late without actually looking like winning either but this is a weakish affair and he's sure to be involved. BOOK OF EXCUSES looked a difficult ride on only his second hurdling start but was still able to outpoint Paloma's Prince by 13l at Worcester under Tony McCoy. However, he did win his last two point-to-points in some style prior to joining the McCain yard and this step-up to 3m looks a sensible decision. Badged has gone well here the last three times and looks a definite threat to the topweight in receipt of 7lb, especially as there seems no reason why the Normile inmate will not handle this first foray over 3m.
Book Of Excuses (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Made all, shaken up 4 out, driven clear from next, kept on, ridden out flat, comfortably, won at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Paloma's Prince (10-12) by 13l, 4 ran.
Apachee Prince (IRE) 9-4 (10-9) Settled in rear but in touch, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, hard ridden to challenge 2 out, stayed on same pace after last, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Handmaid (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Badged 9-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway and every chance before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Mo Rouge (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Highland Cathedral 25-1 (10-7) Soon detatched in rear, struggling 6th, plugged on to take moderate 3rd before last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 6, 27l behind Shantou Tiger (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Raifteiri (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 8th, led before 9th, headed bypasing omitted 2 out, chased winner until long run to last, weakened into 4th approaching last, 4th of 11, 32l behind Makellys Blackpool (9-11) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf.
Hayley 50-1 (7-11) Dwelt badly, took keen hold, headway on outside 12f out, lost place 5f out, soon well behind, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Longshadow (9-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun (flat).
