towards rear, ridden after 5 out, never on terms
held up, struggling from after 6 out
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 3rd, outpaced 5 out, kept on from after 3 out, chased winner after last, no impression
made all, soon clear, unchallenged
held up, struggling from 6 out
held up, ridden 5 out, never on terms
tracked winner and keen, 2 lengths down in 2nd when blundered 3 out, weakened last
held up mid-division, struggling from after 6 out
always in rear, detached from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up mid-division, went 3rd 5 out, blundered next, one pace from 2 out
DOESLESSTHANME's name may not instil confidence but there's nothing wrong with his efforts on the track and he can provide the Wylie/Johnson combination with another winner. Fiendish Flame and Mirage Dore are amongst the dangers. The Johnson strike rate with his chasers at this Cumbrian venue doesn't quite match up to that of his hurdlers but a one in four return isn't to be sniffed at and Doeslessthanme has the scope to make a chaser. He has won five of his seven starts with the two defeats coming in Black Type races and it'll be interesting to see how he goes. Mirage Dore had two runs over fences in France a few years back and has developed into a useful hurdler for his new connections on these shores. However, this trip appears to be on the short side and his fledgling trainer has yet to saddle a winner. Fiendish Flame found the move into handicap company against him having won two of his first three starts over hurdles but he is related to a winning chaser and can be expected to make his mark in this sphere but is another that may find this trip on the short side. After winning at Kelso in November of last year connections stated that Ockey De Neuillac could be top class and was a real chaser but once again this trip is likely to prove to be a minimum. Songe didn't have much luck over fences last season but may fare better this time around although preference is for Doeslessthanme.
Uptown Lad (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, kept on from 2 out, never near leaders, 5th of 10, 29l behind I'm Your Man (10-2) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Regent's Secret (USA) 11-1 (11-8) Held up and keen, pushed along after 10th, outpaced from next, 5th of 6, 21l behind Mhilu (11-8) at Perth 2m 4f noc chs (3) gf in Sep.
Doeslessthanme (IRE) 1-5fav (11-13) Always handy, travelled strongly and led on bit 2 out, very easily, won at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Soul Magic (10-6) by 10l, 11 ran.
Fiendish Flame (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Quinz (10-8) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Mirage Dore (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Held up, chased leaders approaching 8th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 10, 8l behind How's Business (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Ockey De Neulliac (FR) 4-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, chased winner last, no impression, 2nd of 15, 8l behind Mighty Moon (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Songe (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, struggling 3 out, soon beaten, last of 8, 25l behind Alsadaa (11-0) at Sandown 2m Lstd hdl (1) gd in Apr.
The Kealshore Kid (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Close up, ridden after 3 out, one pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Nordwind (11-12) at Wetherby 2m cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gf in May.
Allegedly Red 5-2 (10-10) Held up and keen, headway 4th, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 1f mrs clm hdl (6) sft in Apr '05 beating Cybele Eria (10-8) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
More Equity 4-1fav (10-9) Held up, pushed along approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bijou Dan (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep, 14 ran.
