towards rear, hit 4th, ridden in effort 3 out, no impression
always behind, ridden and kept on from 2 out never dangerous
close up, left in lead 6th, ridden 2 out, headed last and one pace flat
led from 2nd, until fell 6th
always behind
left in lead 1st, headed next, every chance when fell heavily 8th
led until blundered and unseated rider 1st
close up, headway to challenge 3 out, desputed lead next, soon ridden and led last and driven out flat
towards rear, some headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden approaching last and one pace flat
Newbay Lady has been given a real chance by the handicapper having been dropped 5lbs since finishing second to Filey Flyer at Southwell earlier this month and has to be respected but preference is for Commercial Express, who gets the vote over Barney. The last mentioned looks to be going the right way but has yet to prove as effective over fences as hurdles so looks best watched. Scotmail Lad has dropped to a decent mark but the 13-year-old is on a long losing sequence so is hard to recommend with any confidence. The vote then goes to top weight Commercial Express, who is lightly raced and has shown that the ground conditions hold no fears.
Commercial Express (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Held up, headway halfway, challenged 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 17, 5l behind Kidithou (10-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr.
The Miner 13-2 (11-6) Held up, headway halfway, chased leaders 4 out, hit last, one pace, 4th of 12, 11l behind Loscar (10-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Hutch 14-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 5 out, 6th of 11, well behind Trading Trouble (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gs in Apr.
Scotmail Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 14, 25l behind Whatcanyasay (9-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Newbay Lady 13-2 (10-0) Led, clear after 3rd, headed before 3 out, weakened next, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Filey Flyer (10-11) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Barney (IRE) 11-4fav (10-8) In touch, chased winner 9th, no impression from 3 out, 2nd of 16, 12l behind Chukchi Country (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs (5) gf in Apr.
Gunson Hight 10-1 (10-1) Prominent, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 8th of 13, 29l behind Emerald Destiny (10-3) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Hollows Mist 18-1 (9-11) Refused to race refused to race in race won by Insurgent (10-7) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Apr, 12 ran.
