behind, kept on from 3 out, never nearer
slowly away, well behind, tailed off when pulled up after 2nd
raced keenly, mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden and weakened approaching last
in touch, disputed lead 4th, effort 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, kept on, no chance with winner
led and clear to 3rd, headed next, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
in touch, led 4th, driven clear 2 out, stayed on well, easily
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, no impression
Kilmackilloge is taken to get the better of Tous Chez and Lethem Air in a competitive finale. The selection has been threatening to win a race and his second over this course and distance behind Nikola on heavy ground last time sets the standard in this race. Tous Chez would have claims on his best form but he did not jump at all fluently last time and for that reason we will take him on. Lethem Air was narrowly behind Tous Chez last time and there may be more to come from him and he is certainly one that is worth a look in the market. Dispol Peto was a fair sort on the flat and he is sure to learn from his hurdling bow last time over this course and distance. He will not be good enough to trouble the leading lights though and we will stick with Kilmackilloge to lead them home.
Ben Nelly (IRE) Taipan gelding out of Cothu Na Slaine.
Kilmackilloge 7-2 (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Nikola (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Lethem Air 13-2 (10-12) Led, hit 4 out, headed next, one pace, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Love That Benny (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Marghub (IRE) 150-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden on outside 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 6th of 18, 31l behind Gentleman Jimmy (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Reseda (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Led to 5th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 13, 19l behind Nerone (11-2) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Sparkling Taff 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 8, well behind Cloudy Lane (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Tous Chez (IRE) 7-4 (11-5) Tracked winner, not fluent throughout, ridden after 3 out, kept on from next, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Etched In Stone (11-5) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Lady Speaker 10-1 (10-10) With leaders, led over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 18, 8l behind Camden Bella (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs nhf (H) gd in May.
