mid-division, mistake and reminder 7th, headway 4 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden to lead flat, kept on
raced keenly, soon in touch, lost place 8th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders to 8th, soon outpaced, behind when pulled up before 3 out
behind, blundered 3rd, ridden and lost touch 6th, behind when pulled up before next
led to 4th, tracked leader, led again 7th, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out, beaten when blundered last
raced keenly, soon in touch, led 4th to 7th, lost place 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
mid-division, lost place 7th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders to 8th, soon struggling, behind from 3 out
in touch, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last
mid-division, headway to lead 4 out, driven clear after 2 out, ridden and headed flat, weakened final 50 yards
Drombeag will be a short price but is hard to oppose, with Solway Sunset, Sea Knight and High Expectations likely to fight it out for the places. Drombeag has a penalty to carry but should prove up to the task judged on the way that he got the better of Bosham Mill in a much better contest than this at Huntingdon 12 days ago. Jonjo O'Neill's charge had finished third in the four-miler at Cheltenham two years ago when last seen out, but was produced fit enough to justify favouritism, outbattling Bosham Mill on the run-in. He has bigger fish to fry than this, having been entered for both the Cheltenham and Aintree Foxhunter Chases, and with the ground holding no fears, this should be little more than an exercise canter. Solway Sunset won a point-to-point 10 months ago but she has been absent since, while Sea Knight was a beaten favourite between the flags 17 days ago but at least lines up a bit fitter. High Expectations is past his best and will need the run no doubt, and although the market may throw up a potential springer from the rest, it is futile to look beyond Drumbeag who is in a different league.
Drombeag (IRE) 13-8fav (12-0) Held up in touch, every chance from 3 out, mistake next, driven to lead near finish, won at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) gd beating Bosham Mill (11-11) by a nk, 12 ran.
High Expectations (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, weakened 4 out, 6th of 15, 46l behind Jupiter's Fancy (10-10) at Perth 2m 4f nov hts chs (H) gf in May.
Knock Davron (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) 6th of 14, 20l behind Ellie Bee (11-7) at Witton Castle 3m ptp gd.
Mr Hawkeye (USA) 12-1 (11-7) won at Higham 3m ptp gf in Apr '04 beating On The Day (12-0) by a distance, 14 ran.
Sea Knight (IRE) 7-2fav (12-0) 3rd of 13, 25l behind Cool Skier (12-0) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd.
Classic Echo (12-00) 3rd, distance behind Flat Stanley (12-0) at Witton Castle 3m ptp gd in Feb, 11 ran.
Queenies Girl 10-1 (11-7) pulled up in race won by Ellie Bee (11-7) at Witton Castle 3m ptp gd, 14 ran.
Solway Sunset 4-6fav (12-0) won at Aspatria 3m ptp gd in May beating Pilot's Harbour (12-5) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
