led 2nd, blundered 10th, headed 3 out, weakened
held up, headway 9th, no extra from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, challenged last, soon led, headed towards finish
led to 2nd, chased leaders, outpaced from 3 out
tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed next, soon outpaced
held up in rear, headway 8th, led 2 out, headed after last, rallied to lead near finish
Disappointingly just the six runners line up for this beginners' chase and it looks little more than a match between Premier Dane and Safari Run, with preference for the former. The selection was easily the pick of these over hurdles, showed some promise on his only previous start over fences at Perth in September and he is taken to open his account over the larger obstacles. Castle Dargan has not raced under rules for some time now but has run creditably in point-to-points. Earl Sigurd needs to improve on all known form, while Spivitus was only rated 77 when landing a Catterick seller three starts ago and faces no easy task. The biggest threat to the selection is clearly Safari Run, who has shown a decent level of form over hurdles and she has to be respected but Premier Dane has solid claims and he is preferred.
Castle Dargan (IRE) 14-1 (12-5) Prom early; wknd 12; t.o & pulled up in race won by Jimmys Duky (12-5) at Mordon 3m ptp gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Earl Sigurd (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 12th of 15, 45l behind Home Island (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-90 gd.
Premier Dane (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, driven after 2 out, stayed on flat, never going pace to trouble leaders, 6th of 22, 8l behind Silver Jaro (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Spivitus 25-1 (10-8) Mid-division, driven 4th, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 27l behind Bonnie Rock (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Wild Chimes (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Mid-division, struggling 15th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Hall of Flame (10-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Safari Run (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Held up, headway to track winner 3 out, challenged next, every chance last, held flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Lord Baskerville (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Apr.
