held up, mid-division, hit 8th, never dangerous
mid-division, headway until 6th, soon with leaders, ridden 10th, led 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra
held up, in touch, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, in touch, led approaching 10th, ridden and headed 2 out, hard ridden and led again approaching last, all out
with leader, ridden and weakened after 7th, behind when pulled up 10th
tracked leaders, lost place after 6th, pulled up 10th
always behind, pulled up 2 out
made most until headed approaching 10th, soon weakened
Nonrunner
A modest race in which Ockley Flyer, Maryscross and Stroom Bank have formbook claims and Stroom Bank receives the nod. Stroom Bank produced his best form for some time when finishing second to Jodante on his latest start. There is every reason on pedigree to believe that more will be forthcoming over today's longer trip and he is accordingly selected. Ockley Flyer is penalised 7lb for a recent dead-heat at Plumpton. There is every reason to think that he is up to reproducing that level of form but connections will be desperate for the rain to stay away. Maryscross made short work of landing the odds in a novice race at the track over course-and-distance. It is impossible to tell what she achieved on that day so the market is watched. Heversham is unlikely to be the 50/1 that he went off when taking the scalp of Jodante at Kelso. A 9lb rise has been allotted as a result and life could prove much more difficult. Aisjem is a long standing maiden under National Hunt rules and is put over hurdles after a fair effort over chase fences last time out. Many imponderables on this occasion and Stroom Bank looks most open to improvement in this race.
Stroom Bank (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on from last to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Jodante (11-2) at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Maryscross (IRE) 4-11fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 3 out, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hdl (4) gf beating Hermano Cordobes (11-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Heversham (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf beating Jodante (10-11) by 5l, 12 ran.
Aisjem (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) With leader, led 14th, ridden 4 out, jumped left 3 out, soon edged right, headed 2 out, no extra on flat, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Valley Warrior (9-8) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
Lane Marshal 8-1 (10-6) Behind, ridden 2 out, never able to challenge, 7th of 18, 21l behind Colway Ritz (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.
Briannie (IRE) 50-1 (9-12) Not fluent, behind, ridden and struggling 5th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Josear (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Blackcomb Mountain (USA) 10-1 (10-7) Close up, led 3rd, ridden, headed soon after 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Dalriath (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Ockley Flyer 9-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, driven to challenge and upside last, ran on under pressure, won at Plumpton 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf deadheating with Lancier d'Estruval (10-11), 10 ran.
