tracked front pair, not fluent and reminder after 8th, headway after 4 out, soon challenged, upsides when left in lead next, ridden clear before 2 out, unchallenged after, not fluent last
led to 4 out, slightly outpaced by front pair when left sole rival and hampered next, no chance with winner before 2 out
pressed leader, led 4 out, narrow advantage when fell next
Beware The Bear, runner-up in two-point-to-points, has been finding shorter trips against him and this is more like it. He was staying on over 2m3f at Haydock last time and the ground won't be a problem. POWERFUL SYMBOL went for £60,000 after landing a point at Tattersalls Farm by 20l and will have found a Carlisle bumper an inadequate test of stamina. He's related to plenty of winners and looks the type to do well so gets the nod. Mahler Lad scored between the flags in Ireland but that was two years ago and he's been a bit disappointing so far under Rules though there was more of a spark over this course and distance last month. Maid Of Milan looked as though she needed a much stiffer test when third at Fontwell last time and may not get it in this small field.
Beware The Bear (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Close up, mistake 4 out and lost place, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Sharpasaknife (11-12) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Mahler Lad (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leader, outpaced before 3 out, rallied approaching next, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Kilcullen Flem (11-4) at Bangor 2m 7f mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Powerful Symbol (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Led, driven clear over 2f out to over 1f out, soon ridden and hard pressed, headed final 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Reivers Lad (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f (6) sft in Mar.
Maid Of Milan (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Prominent, joined leader 7th, every chance when jumped right 3 out, oupaced next, stayed on under pressure towards finish, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Treaty Girl (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) gd in Mar.
