held up in touch, smooth headway on bit after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, unextended
jumped right 1st, chased leader until pushed along before 6th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up after 8th
hampered 1st, chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with unextended winner
held up in last pair, ridden 4 out, struggling after, tailed off
bumped 1st, prominent, hit 6th, led next, ridden and headed before 2 out, hit last 2, weakened flat
led after 2nd, headed 7th, chased leaders, stayed on to modest 3rd and hit last
took keen hold in last pair, hit 8th, stayed on from 3 out, went 4th flat
DARK HALO stays extreme distances and he can see off the threats of Gift Of The Gods and Supercede. The Irish raider actually stays much further than this so three miles will probably be on the sharp side. That said, the booking of Graham Lee is a major positive and this race does not appear to be particularly strong. Gift Of The Gods has had a long absence since falling over chase fences. This could be an attempt by the trainer to nick a small prize whilst gleaning a confidence booster at the same time. Supercede is respected from a decent yard though his recent form has more letters than numbers. Uncommited would have been a shorter price were this a couple of seasons ago but there has been nothing to write home about of late. Fly Tipper is a maiden after 25 starts though has placed claims of some of his efforts earlier in the year. Dark Halo has demonstrated the most ability in the past and is accordingly selected.
Supercede (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) in a race won by The Flying Dustman (11-8) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp chs 0-102 hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Dark Halo (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 16, 29l behind Long Wait (10-8) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Uncommited (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Mid-division, weakened towards rear halfway, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Nuvelli (11-7) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Mar, 16 ran.
De Danu (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, 13th of 23, well behind Nodouraboura (11-12) at Cork 3m mdn hdl gf.
Fly Tipper 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2nd until 4th, weakening when not fluent 3 out, 5th of 10, 27l behind Oursininlaw (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Gift Of The Gods (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Prominent in chasing group, losing place when fell 9th, in a race won by Gunship (10-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr, 17 ran.
Solway Blue 12-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Can't Remember (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf, 16 ran.
