mid-division,ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along approaching 4th, weakened from 3 out
chased leaders, led 6th, headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
held up, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, soon headed, no extra flat
chased leader, weakened quickly from 6th, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
behind, ridden 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to chase winner on run-in, kept on
led to 6th, weakened approaching 7th, pulled up after 3 out
in rear, headway approaching 8th, led 2 out, kept on
held up, headway when rider lost iron on bend after 5th, pulled up before 7th
Scots Grey had a good season over fences last term and began this season by taking advantage of a decent mark over hurdles, still seemingly well treated on chase form he is taken to follow up here and gets the verdict over Keepitsecret and Gold Gun. The last mentioned looked held when brought down behind the selection at Uttoxeter last time but is better than he showed that day and he makes more appeal than From Dawn To Dusk, who seems high enough for his return to hurdles on his first start of the campaign. Stablemate Drumbeater looks best watched on his first since April 2006, while Absolut Power probably needs some more help from the handicapper. Jonjo O'Neill's Keepitsecret is less exposed than most of these and has to be respected but Scots Grey remains well treated and he gets the vote.
Absolut Power (GER) 8-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, 12th of 17, 32l behind Salut Saint Cloud (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Scots Grey 9-1 (11-5) Made all, ridden and ran on well flat, gamely, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf beating Aldiruos (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
From Dawn To Dusk 7-4fav (11-11) Led after 1st, headed 3rd, led again 6th, headed 8th, weakened from 5 out, 3rd of 5, well behind Always Waining (11-12) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs (2) gf in Apr.
Drumbeater (IRE) 9-2fav (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway from 9th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, ridden and weakened between last 2, 5th of 18, 15l behind Standin Obligation (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (1) gd in Apr '06.
Keepitsecret (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-8) Keen, mid-division, took closer order from 4th, led approaching 9th, headed just before 2 out, strong challenge after, kept on, 2nd of 13, nk behind Herne Bay (11-8) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Present Oriented (USA) 33-1 (10-12) Raced keen, held up, always behind, 9th of 10, 33l behind Supply And Fix (10-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Aug.
Mr Mischief 7-4fav (11-13) Mid-division, headway 3 out, challenged next, led last, hung left, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Major Catch (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb '06.
Gold Gun (USA) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 1st, not fluent 2nd, in rear when brought down at the 6th in race won by Scots Grey (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf, 11 ran.
Franco (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Made all, stayed on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec beating Kingsbury (9-11) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway from 4 out, chased leaders and every chance 2 out, weakened between last 2, 6th of 14, 12l behind Lothian Falcon (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr.
El Dee (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) In touch, lost place after 7th, progress again 8th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd last, no impression on leading pair, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Herne Bay (11-8) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Comeintothespace (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Behind, headway before 3 out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Toni Alcala (11-5) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf.
