prominent, went 2nd from before 10th, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, headway 5 out, mistake 2 out, chased winner and hit last, kept on and always held by winner run-in
towards rear, weakened from 5 out, pulled up
towards rear, headway 5 out, blundered 3 out, outpaced before 3 out, in 3rd from last, kept on
in rear, mistake 1st, pushed along before 8 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led before 7 out, headed before 5 out, led again before 2 out, kept on well
led, headed before 7 out, weakened from 5 out, pulled up
towards rear, headway 8 out, mistake 7 out, soon pushed along and weakened, pulled up
tracked leaders, led before 5 out, headed before 2 out, weakened after last
tracked leaders early, soon lost place and towards rear, pushed along before 8 out, soon struggling, pulled up
This features three of the first four from last year. Yala Enki made all and beat three-times course winner Seldom Inn seven lengths with BAYWING another four lengths away in fourth. Sandy Thomson’s charge looks the pick of the weights among that trio today but he appears to have lost a little confidence and Yala Enki arrives off the back of a good run at Cheltenham having won at Haydock before that, though faces a fifth outing on testing ground in a relatively short space of time. Nicky Richards’ stayer looked a reformed character when delivered late to win the Eider at Newcastle and a repeat performance may well suffice. Chic Name ran above expectations in the Cross-Country Chase at Cheltenham and may be improving and this trip might suit Lake View Lad. Wild West Wind has been a bit unlucky since making a winning reappearance at Chepstow and could also go close with a clear round.
Yala Enki (FR) 12-1 (11-9) With leader, blundered and lost place 13th, chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, no impression after, 6th of 18, 14 1/2l behind Coo Star Sivola (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) hvy in Mar.
Baywing (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Towards rear, headway before 8 out, led last, kept on well run-in, won at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp (2) sft in Feb beating West Of The Edge (10-5) by 4l, 17 ran.
Wild West Wind (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 5th, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Lake View Lad (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on and always held, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Bernardelli (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Seldom Inn 8-1 (11-8) Led, headed before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 4, 32 1/2l behind Big River (10-9) at Kelso 2m 7f (2) hvy in Feb.
Smooth Stepper 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway before 19th, left 6th and hampered 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 17, dist behind Baywing (11-3) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Samstown 25-1 (10-5) Towards rear, pulled up before 19th, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Chic Name (FR) 100-1 (11-4) Prominent, driven to chase winner after 3 out, ridden and lost place between last 2, no chance with front trio before last, lost 4th near finish, 5th of 16, 17 3/4l behind Tiger Roll (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) sft in Mar.
Blakemount (IRE) 9-2 (11-13) Prominent early, tracked leaders, led 12th, headed next, weakened 2 out, 6th of 7, 21 3/4l behind Gonalston Cloud (11-7) at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Harry The Viking 6-1 (11-8) Prominent, carried right and stumbled 1st, lost place 11th, hampered 17th, modest 5th 3 out, plugged on, went 3rd from last, 3rd of 9, 22 1/2l behind Emperor's Choice (11-4) at Haydock 3m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
