with leader, hit 5th, ridden and weakened next
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
always behind, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always prominent, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led approaching next, stayed on well
prominent, not fluent 3rd, weakened approaching 5th, pulled up before 3 out
always behind, struggling halfway, pulled up before 4 out
held up in touch, headway 5th, chased winner 2 out, one pace
held up in touch, weakened approaching 5th, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 5th, soon struggling, pulled up before 2 out
held up, reminders approaching 3rd, never dangerous when mistake 5th
Despite the size of the field, this does not look to be the most competitive of contests with the winner likely to come from the trio of SPIRIT OF THE MIST, Desert Storm and Word of Warning and it is the first mentioned that gets the vote. Jim Goldie's gelding has found just one too good in each of his last two starts, latterly in a handicap over course and distance, and he is taken to gain a deserved first success over timber. Desert Soul has been well held in recent outings and needs to improve to trouble the judge, while Parson's Punch could be of interest first time out over hurdles having earned a rating of 68 from limited opportunities on the flat. Gordon Elliott's Desert Storm comes here on the back of a decent effort on the flat at Bellewstown earlier this month having run well in recent starts over hurdles and over the larger obstacles and he has solid claims. Martin Todhunter's Word of Warning has, like the selection, also finished second in each of his last two starts and has to be considered but marginal preference is for Spirit Of The Mist.
Desert Soul 40-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders and keen, led from 4th, headed approaching 2 out, one pace when hit last, 4th of 9, 15l behind Pengana (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Desert Storm (DEN) 14-1 (11-10) Led 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, no chance with winner from 2 out, finished tired, 2nd of 11, 21l behind Line Artic (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Killiney Present (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, raced wide on bend after 3rd and soon pulled up, in a race won by Pengana (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf, 9 ran.
Mountskip 150-1 (10-12) In rear, headway 2 out, not pace to challenge, 9th of 15, 42l behind Shiwawa (11-5) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Spirit of The Mist (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) With leader, challenged 2 out, stayed on from last, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Toshi (11-0) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf.
Tantobie (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division until weakened 4 out, 7th of 11, well behind Big Burrows (11-2) at Kelso 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Tayside Mover 200-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 5th, in a race won by Sambulando (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gs in May, 9 ran.
Word of Warning 11-1 (10-5) In rear, headway to go prominent 5th, stayed on well approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Shiwawa (11-5) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Abbey Express 100-1 (10-6) Led, headed 6th, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 12, 50l behind Sambulando (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Parson's Punch 10-1 (8-11) Made most to over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 5l behind Can Can Star (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcap (5) pol in Feb (flat).
Miss Greystown (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, led 3rd, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 28l behind Grangeclare Gold (11-7) at Down Royal 2m mrs nov hdl gf in Jun.
Threerockmountain (IRE) 150-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Posh Lady (10-13) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf, 15 ran.
