led to 2nd, tracked leader, regained lead approaching 6th, mistake 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up soon after
tracked leader, led 2nd, headed approaching 6th, quickly weakened after 4 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed after last, rallied to regain lead towards finish
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 6th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, one pace between last 2
held up, good headway to chase leaders approaching 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, mistake 5th, headway after 3 out, led after last, headed towards finish, no extra
Nonrunner
Solway Bay is entitled to run a big race off joint bottom weight but with the form working out well from his final two starts of last season WENDEL makes most appeal in this top handicap hurdle although Woody Waller should be in close attendance. The last time we saw the selection he was being out classed by Knockara Beau when leading the rest home. That form now looks better with the victor going on to run well in the Ballymore Novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before scoring a couple of times and the pick he looks fairly enough treated. Woody Waller finished his last campaign well scoring in back to back races and while those performances were impressive they are not up to form of the pick. Solway Bay is in receipt of weight from most of his rivals and although his last success came when he was very well handicapped he has been running well since and on these terms should put in a big performance at a price. Dancing Dik goes well at this trip and has improved in two starts this term so far so could improve again but Wendel seems to hold the best form in the race and is the selection.
Wendel (GER) 4-6fav (11-9) Tracked leader, prominent halfway, led approaching 6th, hit 2 out, soon ridden, headed last and weakened flat, 2nd of 6, 27l behind Knockara Beau (11-9) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Chief Yeoman 50-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, weakened from 4 out, 16th of 21, well behind Time For Rupert (10-10) at Aintree 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Shatabdi (IRE) 4-1fav (10-5) Chased leaders, chased winner 13th, driven after 2 out, lost 2nd last, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 8l behind Aimigayle (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f mrs lst nov hcp chs (5yo+) (1) gd in Mar.
Woody Waller 7-4 (11-0) Tracked leader and not fluent, led last, stayed on well, won at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Comhla Ri Coig (11-9) by 6l, 5 ran.
John Forbes 10-1 (10-4) Blundered and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Overstrand (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft, 7 ran.
Arctic Wings (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway 6th, chased winner and not fluent 3out, not fluent last, no impression when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Right Option (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Oct.
Dancing Dik 12-1 (10-11) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, rallied last, ridden and stayed on to chase winner flat, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Glingerbank (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Sam Lord 7-2 (10-8) Led, not fluent 4th and 5th, ridden, headed approaching last, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Trafalgar Road (11-3) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
Solway Bay 4-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 3 out, every chance next, 1 length down in 2nd when hit last, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Tarvini (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 6f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
