chased leaders, blundered 5 out, driven next, ridden 3 out, kept on until no extra flat
keen early, behind, mistakes 7th, 8th and 9th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
early mistakes and behind, blundered 9th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
blundered 5th, always behind
in touch, ridden 3 out, outpaced when jumped right next, rallied flat
raced keenly in mid-division, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led or disputed lead, went on at 10th, clear 2 out, ridden out
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on from next
led or disputed lead to 10th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, kept on from next, no impression
Nonrunner
This could be hard work for these novices' on this ground and the race should chiefly concern the top three on the racecard, Darina's Boy, Your Advantage, and Good Judgement, and we will side with Darina's Boy. Sue Smith's gelding won with a fair bit more in hand than the three length official margin. He jumped well, and has worked his way to fitness with three runs now, so he won't be wanting for that. Trip and ground suit, and he can score. Your Advantage has shown form on soft and heavy ground in France, and he comes here with a confidence-boosting win from Hexham under his belt. He will be thereabouts, while Good Judgement won on his only start to date, at Towcester last December. He certainly can't be discounted, though his pedigree suggests that he may need better ground than this to be at his best. Of the remainder, Lothian Falcon has minor place claims, but Darina's Boy looks worth following in this sphere and can score.
Darina's Boy 3-1fav (10-11) Tracked leader and keen, hampered 4th, led 10th, clear 4 out, kept on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd beating Iris's Prince (11-2) by 3l, 8 ran.
Good Judgement (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, hampered 3 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Towcester 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Dec beating Monsieur Georges (10-12) by 5l, 10 ran.
Lothian Falcon 13-2 (10-11) Held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, ridden next, chased winner after last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Relix (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (D) gf in May.
One Five Eight 66-1 (11-7) Tracked leader until lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mount Clerigo (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (D) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Valleymore (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Soon 2nd, 3rd halfway, weakened from 6 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind The Galway Man (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs hvy in Feb.
Jonny's Kick 16-1 (11-4) Held up, weakened approaching 3f out, 10th of 16, 42l behind Limited Edition (11-11) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Jan.
Spring Gamble (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up, reminders 9th, effort 5 out, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 26l behind Pass Me By (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (E) gf.
Magico (NZ) 9-1 (10-8) Close up, led 3rd to 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Rising Generation (11-9) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs.
Jballingall 5-1 (10-7) Led 2nd, headed 6th, tracked leader, led again 5 out, ridden and headed last, stayed on to regain lead flat, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) hvy in Apr beating Wild About Harry (9-11) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Your Advantage (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, led approaching last, stayed on strongly, won at Hexham 2m nov chs (E) gf beating College City (11-8) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
