tracked leaders until jumped slow 1st, soon detached, tailed off when pulled up after 4th
soon tracking leaders, hit 3rd, ridden clear approaching 2 out, easily
behind, pushed along and reminded after 2nd, struggling from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led to 5th, weakened from 4 out
held up, reminders and struggling from 5th, pulled up before 4 out
held up, pushed along and reminders from 5th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened approaching 4 out
Best Accolade is selected in preference to Morgan Be and Kempski in our opening race. Howard Johnson's team endured a few painful reverses on Saturday but its difficult to oppose Best Accolade at this level. The ex-pointer will be making more of a splash when sent chasing but his presence appears to have scared off any meaningful opposition this afternoon. Morgan Be has given his supporters a good run for their money on his most recent starts. He handles the surface and appears the most obvious danger if the favourite isn't up to scratch. Kempski ran well for a long way when chasing The Dukes Speech over course-and-distance. The visors are tried but one suspects that much more improvement is required. Van Cleef is a full brother to chaser, Calling Brave. He has not shown anything on the track thus far but the market is watched. Stand On Me would not be the best horse David Johnson has ever had in training. Best Accolade is selected albeit at prohibitive odds.
Border Craic (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st and lost place, hit next, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by The Duke's Speech (11-5) at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft, 10 ran.
Kempski 33-1 (10-5) In touch, led 2nd to 7th, driven to chase leaders 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 4th of 8, 40l behind Hard Act To Follow (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f nov hdl (3) hvy.
Morgan Be 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, every chance last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind According To John (11-4) at Ayr 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Moscow Ali (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, lost touch from 7th pulled up at the last in race won by Some Touch (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gf in Dec, 11 ran.
Stand On Me 66-1 (11-5) Led 1st, soon mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 15, 34l behind Alfred The Great (10-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (2) gs.
Stormy Bay (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) Mid-division, lost place over 6f out, soon behind, 12th of 14, 38l behind Topwell (10-12) at Catterick 2m nhf (H) gd in Dec.
Van Cleef (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, driven over 3f out, never on terms, 12th of 19, 24l behind Young Albert (11-4) at Ayr 2m nhf (H) sft in Dec.
Lethem Present (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) With leaders, pushed along after 5th, weakened from next, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Camden Bella (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft, 12 ran.
Best Accolade 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led approaching 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Ballyjohnboy Lord (11-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
