held up in rear, never dangerous
pressed leader, led 8th to 4 out, weakened 3 out, mistake next
led to 8th, chased leader, hit next, weakened and blundered 3 out and mistake next
held up in rear, steady headway 9th, challenging next, chased winner 3 out, kept on flat, always held
close up, hit 9th, went 3rd 2 out, no impression on front pair when lost 3rd towards finish
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 9th, pulled up approaching 2 out
held up in rear, hit 9th and 2 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on well flat, took 3rd towards finish
tracked leaders, led 4 out, in command when dived at last, ridden out and readily holding runner up near finish
in touch, hit 9th, chased leaders 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
In a tricky race, we will shortlist Green Belt Flyer, Bambi de l'Orme and Jacks Craic and side with Green Belt Flyer. Jacks Craic improved throughout last season, winning a Grade 3 handicap along the way, and having had a pipe-opener for the season, cannot be ruled out of things. Formerly with Jessica Harrington, Green Belt Flyer competed well at Listed and Graded level in Ireland last year and is the type to do well now for Venetia Williams. Locksmith is not faring as well yet in handicaps as he did in novice events, but you can build the case for Bambi de l'Orme based on hs best form of last season and it would be no surprise to see him go well, coming here with a pipe-opener under his belt. Kalca Mome is four pounds above a previous best winning mark, although a good run is not ruled out, Island Faith still has it to prove from his current chasing mark, but Whispered Secret now races from a mark that is seven pounds lower than for his Cheltenham win of October 2005, although he has been disappointing since. Finally, Saintsaire is the type that can be placed to effect by Paul Nicholls this season but, for the selection, we will side with Green Belt Flyer.
Jacks Craic (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Blundered 1st, held up, weakened after 8th, left poor 4th 4 out, mistake 2 out, 5th of 9, well behind Impek (11-10) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Green Belt Flyer (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, mistake 3rd, weakened 10th, blundered 12th, tailed off, 18th of 24, well behind Non So (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Locksmith 20-1 (10-11) Led to 8th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 20l behind Rubberdubber (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gd.
Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Mid-division, led briefly approaching last, weakened run-in, 5th of 9, 6l behind Rubberdubber (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gd.
Kalca Mome (FR) 16-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, blundered 6th, beaten from next, 6th of 7, well behind Nyrche (10-11) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Island Faith (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) In rear, reminders after 5th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Do L'enfant D'eau (10-2) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Whispered Secret (GER) 20-1 (11-10) Prominent, led 12th until 14th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 16th, 4th of 8, 39l behind Bosham Mill (10-5) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jul.
Saintsaire (FR) 3-1jt-fav (11-7) Not fluent, led, mistake 5th, ridden and headed 7th, chased winner until 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 26l behind Bleu Superbe (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Roofing Spirit (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 4 out, soon led, headed 2 out, hit last, no extra, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Pass Me A Dime (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
