prominent, blundered badly and dropped rear 4th, behind when blundered 8th, pulled up before next
jumped right, led and soon clear, headed flat, no extra towards finish
in touch, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, stayed to go 2nd towards finish
towards rear, outpaced from halfway
towards rear, struggling halfway
towards rear, struggling halfway
chased leader, fell 2nd
held up in touch, headway to chase leader 4 out, led flat, pushed out
raced keen, tracked leaders, 8 lengths down and held in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
blundered 1st, always behind
always behind
An average looking Beginners' Chase and the feeling is that BYWELL BEAU can string them out from the front. A decent hurdler (rated in the high 130's), the selection makes his seasonal reappearance today. He has tried chasing twice in the past including on one occasion when he ran out at the last when well clear, however he is an interesting runner in the context of this race. Cast Iron Casey is bred to make up into a chaser and showed some ability in novice hurdles, whilst Lord Samposin needs to forgive his run at the end of last season when almost tailed off at Perth. Industrial Star is modest enough on the level, whilst Kalahari King was a very capable hurdler and is sure to have been well-schooled ahead of this chasing debut; the market will help guide to his chance. Island Key is another for consideration; however Bywell Beau is given a chance to atone for his poor behaviour last time he encountered fences.
Athollbrose (USA) 7-1 (10-0) Chased winner, ridden and outpaced 3 out, lost 2nd flat, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 27l behind Red Man Ray (11-5) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Bywell Beau (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Led untill 4th, hit next, soon ridden and gradually weakened from 3 out, 6th of 16, 23l behind Border Castle (9-13) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Cast Iron Casey (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Soon with winner, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Border Tale (10-6) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Frith (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon no impression, 6th of 16, 32l behind Max Bygraves (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Hurricane Basil (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Chased winner to 7th, behind from next, soon tailed off, last of 5, well behind Wee Forbees (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Apr.
Industrial Star (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) In touch, not fluent and reminder after 6th, mistake 8th, soon struggling, hampered 2 out, mistake last, 4th of 9, 16l behind Eleazar (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May '07.
Island Key (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Led, headed 7th, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 12, well behind Canalturn (10-7) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Kalahari King (FR) 5-1co-fav (11-12) Mid-division, progress between horses into 3rd travelling best after 2 out, slight stumble before straight, led approaching last, stayed on well under pressure, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl gd in Apr beating Boulavogue (11-12) by 2.
Lord Samposin 20-1 (11-5) Mistakes in mid-division, outpaced 9th, no danger after, 8th of 13, well behind Spirit Calling (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Apr.
Spivitus 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, kept on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 11, 10l behind Hawksbury Heights (11-5) at Hexham 2m sll hdl (5) gs.
Summer Soul (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Raced keenly, led to 4th, led again next, headed 2 out, soon ridden and edged left, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Nicki Boy (10-12) at Perth 2m clm hdl (5) gs in Sept.
Witch Power 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, 7th of 12, well behind Luccombe Bay (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Sept.
