Reckless Venture, Stand On Me and Best Accolade make most appeal in this handicap chase and the vote is given to Reckless Venture. Lucinda's Russell's 7-year-old may be creeping up the weights but he was an emphatic winner here last time, he loves it round here and as he is on the upgrade and has ground conditions to suit, he looks worth sticking with. Stand On Me is another that will handle the ground and he was still in with a serious chance when he unshipped his rider last time at Ayr. Best Accolade ran a fair race behind Lock Oscaig at Carlisle last time but Howard Johnson's 9-year-old will need to improve again if he is to land this prize. Of the others, Kyalami has been off the track for 2 years so is hard to recommend with confidence, and for the winner we will stick with Reckless Venture.
Stand On Me 5-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, headway and close up 4th when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Jefertiti (11-12) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar, 7 ran.
Best Accolade 11-1 (10-6) In touch, outpaced 5 out, stayed on under pressure from next, no impression, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Loch Oscaig (11-3) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Kyalami (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Chased leaders 8th, weakened 12th, no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by River Dante (12-0) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gf in Apr '06, 11 ran.
Reckless Venture (IRE) 3-1fav (10-6) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, drew clear from last, easily, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar beating Neidpath Castle (10-12) by 27l, 12 ran.
Thenford Sir (IRE) 100-1 (10-1) Always behind, 12th of 17, well behind Quality Control (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
That's Racing 12-1 (11-4) In rear, beaten when hampered 3 out, never dangerous, 11th of 16, 37l behind Silver Seeker (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Fiddlers Creek (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) In touch to 3rd, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Smart Man (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
Norminster 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division when fell at the 7th in race won by Mr Multifix (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Mar, 10 ran.
Rucolino (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) In rear, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Hush Tiger (11-0) at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Mar, 6 ran.
Athollbrose (USA) 150-1 (10-7) In touch, weakened quickly 8th and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Mr Multifix (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Mar, 10 ran.
