soon lost touch in rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, lost place 12th, soon behind
hit 1st, tracked leader, led 9th, 15 lengths clear last, idled and edged right flat, comfortably
behind, lost touch 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led to 9th, chased winner until outpaced 3 out, lost 2nd and weakened approaching last
in touch, outpaced 4 out, no impression from next
blundered 1st, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, lost place 9th, soon behind
mid-division, reminders 10th, soon struggling, weakened 4 out
in touch, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 15 lengths 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
held up mid-division, headway and in touch when blundered and unseated rider 9th
behind until kept on from 2 out, never near leaders
He may be the obvious choice but VAN NESS is nonetheless favoured to continue some good recent form here, while Eliza Doalott is perhaps next best. The selection got the better of Hereford specialist Red Guard in his own backyard last time when tried over a similar trip to this. Good ground suits, he is consistent and he will be a tough nut to crack again tonight. Eliza Doalott was a wide margin maiden hunter chase scorer at Hexham last time and she may not be quite as suited by this drop back in trip, but she did it so easily when winning that her chance here is respected. Briscoe Place has not won in this sphere for almost three years now, but he has his conditions and is no stranger to this distance so might be good enough for the frame. Paradise Bay has a good pilot up to help his cause and can show ability, so he is one to note in the market, but preference is for Van Ness.
Primus Inter Pares (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Ap; ev ch 2 out; one pce, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Blandings Castle (11-0) at Hutton Rudby 3m ptp in Mar.
Benwell 4-1 (12-7) Held up; eff 15; 4th & outpcd when fell 2 out, in a race won by Queenies Girl (11-7) at Easingwold 3m ptp in Apr, 10 ran.
Van Ness (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Led from 2nd, all out and held on towards finish, won at Hereford 2m 3f hts chs (6) gd in Apr beating Red Guard (11-7) by hd, 13 ran.
Alpine Warrior 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, blundered badly 2nd, lost place and weakened quickly before 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Andy Anshan (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd in Mar '08, 10 ran.
Briscoe Place (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Led to 4 out, weakened from next, 3rd of 12, 42l behind Simonsberg (11-1) at Perth 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Apr.
Caraman (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 5th, dropped rear approaching 12th, struggled on, 6th of 7, 36l behind City Affair (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hts chs (6) gd.
Crashtown Leader (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) (ts) hdwy 14; chsd wnr 3 out; one pce, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Knightsbridge King (12-0) at Mordon 3m ptp in Mar '08.
Fifth Column (USA) 10-1 (12-5) Led to 13; sn wknd, 4th of 7, 33l behind Intense Suspense (12-5) at Easingwold 3m ptp.
Good Investment 100-1 (12-5) (cp) bhnd when pu 14, in a race won by L'oudon (12-5) at Witton Castle 3m ptp, 8 ran.
Over To Joe 2-1 (12-3) Nvr nr to chall, 4th of 9, 9l behind Tirol Livit (12-0) at Easingwold 3m ptp.
Paradise Bay (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, hit 8th, headway 10th, chased winner approaching 4 out until 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 7, 15l behind City Affair (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hts chs (6) gd.
Eliza Doalott (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, led 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Hexham 3m 1f hts chs (5) gd beating Teerie Express (11-7) by 21l, 10 ran.
Elusive Swallow 14-1 (10-12) In touch until outpaced from 3 out, 4th of 6, 36l behind Senora Moss (10-12) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hts chs (6) gs.
