in touch, lost place halfway, in 4th before last, one pace
tracked winner, until 7 out, blundered and weakened 3 out, soon pulled up
made all, clear before 2 out, kept on well
tracked leaders, lost place 7 out, headway before 3 out, weakened 2 out
in rear, headway 7 out, chased winner last, kept on and always well held
always towards rear, pulled up
mid-division, chased winner from 7 out until ridden before last, kept on same pace
always behind, pulled up
Donald McCain has his horses in good form and winning point-to-pointer Hills Of Dubai, who showed real potential over hurdles, could be well in for his chasing debut. Celtic Flames made a successful debut over fences at Hexham before making too many mistakes when well beaten at Newcastle. Buffalo Ballet hasn't won over fences but has been narrowly beaten here twice and ran well in a better race than this at Carlisle last month. Winning hurdler Strong Economy was making his debut over fences when third of four over the track and trip last month so should have come on for the experience though the concession of over a stone to PADDLING looks beyond him. Micky Hammond's charge has been hit with a 12lb rise for his victory at Catterick but that was a very impressive performance and a double looks on the cards.
Strong Economy (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked winner early, in rear and in touch, headway before 11th, one pace in 3rd from 4 out, 3rd of 4, 9 1/4l behind Lough Derg Jewel (11-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Imperial Prince (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, dist behind Too Many Chiefs (11-6) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Hills Of Dubai (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led, headed when not fluent 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, stayed on to take 3rd flat, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 5, 4 3/4l behind Billy Hicks (11-11) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Celtic Flames (IRE) 85-40fav (10-13) Chased leaders, lost place after 3rd, stumbled 6th, struggling after beaten before 4 out, left in modest 4th at last, 4th of 5, 28 1/2l behind Kauto Riko (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Buffalo Ballet 16-1 (11-0) In rear, headway before 3 out, one pace and no impression, 5th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Finaghy Ayr (10-4) at Carlisle 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Forty Crown (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 30l behind Ebony Rose (10-10) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Paddling (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Held up off the pace in 6th, smooth headway 12th, 3rd 4 out, led 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Dec beating Frankie Ballou (11-1) by 14l, 9 ran.
Firth Of Bavard 25-1 (10-0) Soon towards rear, weakened from 8th, 8th of 9, dist behind Lord Ballim (12-3) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
