raced keenly, held up on outside, headway and in touch halfway, went 2nd 4 out, challenged next, led 2 out, ridden and one pace flat
mid-division, outpaced halfway, some headway before 3 out, never on terms
chased leaders until ridden, weakened before 3 out
in rear, outpaced halfway, struggling when mistake 4 out, rallied next, soon weakened
held up mid-division, smooth headway after 4 out, driven to lead last, ridden and kept on well flat
with leader, outpaced 7th, struggling 4 out, stayed on from next, no impression
led, headed 2 out, rallied and every chance last, no extra flat
chased leaders to 4 out, behind when blundered next, tailed off
in touch, ridden and no impression approaching 3 out
held up, headway before 4 out, ridden and no impression from next
soon behind, struggling halfway, rallied approaching 3 out, kept on from next, never near leaders
Understandably, David Pipe doesn't send many runners to Scotland's premier jumps venue from his Devon base, so it can be significant SOLIYA makes the 16 hour round trip today. Smuglin is also a long distance traveller who has a chance of at least returning home with a chunk of place money, while Elzahann is unexposed and, having won three of his seven previous starts, she is still potentially well handicapped. That said, this is a tougher assignment, so he needs to be on the ball today. Magical Legend is another worth a mention, as she seems to have got her act together just at the right time. A market move in her direction could be noteworthy. However, Soliya, who is currently 5lb lower than her last winning mark, is another that has room to manoeuvre in the ratings. Tom Scudamore knows the mare well and it would come as no surprise to see the partnership emerge as the best of the bunch this afternoon.
Reel Charmer 9-1 (10-5) Always behind, reminders after 11th, beaten from 3 out, 7th of 9, well behind Chief Dan George (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov stks (2) gd in Mar.
Magical Legend 11-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, kept on until 1f approaching last, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Risk Runner (10-13) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Soliya (FR) 20-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, led before 2 out, mistake and went left last, headed soon after, stayed challenging until lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Dont Tell The Wife (10-11) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
River Alder 7-1 (11-11) Led, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 15l behind Turbo (10-2) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in May '07.
Elzahann (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Chased leaders, effort between last 2, led flat, kept on, won at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Will If I Want (10-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
More Likely 14-1 (11-7) Led, hit 4 out, ridden approaching last, headed and no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Bold Ransom (11-3) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Pure Genius (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Chased leader, led before 3 out, driven and headed 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 13, 12l behind Argento Luna (11-0) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hcp hdl (4yo+) (1) gd in Mar.
Mini Minster 11-1 (10-3) Towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 33l behind Percussionist (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Tastes Like More (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, challenged when hit 4 out, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Le Beau Bai (11-5) at Carlisle 3m nov stks (3) hvy in Mar.
Smuglin 7-1 (10-6) Held up, mistake 3rd, not fluent 4th, ridden and every chance 2 out, faded last, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Patsy Finnegan (11-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Solway Bee 12-1 (11-3) Behind, struggling after 5th, rallied 7th, soon weakened,, 9th of 18, 45l behind Cassius (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
