held up, went 4th from 7th, close up 3 out, one pace in 3rd from next
in rear, blundered 9th, closed 11th, challenged 3 out, led before next, clear last, easily
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 10th, every chance 3 out, 4th and no extra from next
held up, jumped left 4th, blundered badly and unseated rider 9th
led, jumped right at times, headed 2nd, led again after 8th, ridden before 3 out, headed approaching next, no impression on winner last, one pace
led 2nd until after 8th, weakened from 11th, tailed off
chased leaders, jumped left at times, hit 7th and lost place, hampered 9th, pulled up before next
Lucinda Russell won this two years ago and saddles top weight Bescot Springs this time. He's won twice over hurdles around here and his last victory over fences came off a 24lb higher mark so he has an obvious chance, despite showing little over the larger obstacles in recent years. Discoverie is well weighted on his hurdles form and is another to consider but Lochore hasn't raced since finishing second here in July of last year. JUST AWAKE's form figures don't offer much encouragement but he's generally competed at a higher level so far under Rules and does have a point-to-point victory to his name - Sandy Thomson's gelding gets a tentative vote.
Bescot Springs (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Led to before 2nd, tracked leaders, pushed along from 6th, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, 23l behind Better B Quick (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Mar.
Just Awake 11-2 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased winner before last until run-in, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 20l behind Cross To Boston (10-4) at Hexham 3m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gs in Mar.
The Flaming Matron (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Close up early, jumped slow, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Oxalido (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
Prince Blackthorn (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, pulled up next, in a race won by Courtown Oscar (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Discoverie 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 5th, lost place 3 out, 8th of 15, 43l behind Royal Boru (11-8) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Apr.
War On (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Held up mid-division, reminders halfway, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by My Friend George (10-11) at Kelso 2m 7f sll hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs, 11 ran.
Lochore (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) Held up in rear in touch, driven to chase leaders after 4 out, ridden after next, went 3rd 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, went 2nd near finish, no impression, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Mia's Anthem (11-1) at Perth 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gf in Jul.
