held up, reminders halfway, headway 13th, went 2nd 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on, no impression
tracked leader, led 5 out, shaken up after 3 out, stayed on well, ridden out flat
in rear, pushed along 5 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, never on terms
held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders after 5 out, stayed on same pace, no impression
led, headed 5 out, weakened 3 out
in touch, blundered 10th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, lost place 13th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
Ballynure gets the vote in this uncompetitive handicap chase, with Dolmur a likely danger and both Trading Trouble and Reasonably Sure also considered. The selection relishes a sound surface as evidence by his two most recent wins that have come on Perth and last time out at Carlisle, both on good ground. This is clearly a little bit quicker than that but it was hard not be impressed by his latest staying on win and he looks good enough to follow up over this longer trip. Dolmur is a proven fast ground performer who relishes this trip and beyond. He has not won for well over a year but his yard are flying and he is 6lb below his highest winning mark so has a clear chance based on that. Trading Trouble was a soft ground winner last time and will be popular, but these quicker conditions may find him out, while Reasonably Sure finds winning difficult and may again have to settle for a place behind our choice Ballynure.
Dolmur (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, outpaced 12th, headway approaching 3 out, kept on, 4th of 9, 20l behind Profowens (10-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Trading Trouble 5-2fav (11-6) Keen early, held up, went 2nd at 11th, led 4 out, clear 2 out, pushed out comfortably, won at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Mar beating Forever Eyesofblue (11-10) by 4l, 6 ran.
Reasonably Sure (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Held up behind, headway 10th, went 3rd 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Whatcanyasay (9-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Seymar Lad (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 12, 21l behind Insurgent (10-7) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Sound Of Cheers 10-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, reminders, outpaced 8th, no danger after, 5th of 7, 29l behind Dead Mans Dante (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Ballynure (IRE) 11-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 8th, led 5 out, kept on well, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd beating Dunguaire Lady (11-2) by 9l, 15 ran.
Been Here Before 33-1 (9-11) Held up, headway to chase leaders 8th, quickly weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before last pulled up 2 out in race won by Kercabellec (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
Star of Raven 40-1 (10-1) Prominent until weakened after 11th, 4th of 7, 30l behind Sands Rising (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
