chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, struggling halfway
struggling from halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, ridden and headway 4 out, weakened from last
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out
held up, mistake 4th, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, led last 100 yards, driven out
prominent, led briefly approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, soon switched right, every chance run-in, no extra
led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always behind
held up, headway to chase leaders 4th, weakened from 3 out
towards rear, ridden 5th, soon weakened
prominent, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed last 100 yards, one pace
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, one pace, run-in
mid-division, weakened 5 out, tailed off
held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from last
Hue was good value for his winning return to hurdling when successful at Wetherby last month and Brian Ellison's gelding is taken to follow up that success, getting the vote ahead of Heavenly Chorus and Corrib Lad. The last mentioned was a good winner at Musselburgh when last seen but that was back in January and the combination of the absence since then and a drop in trip today is enough to make Len Lungo's gelding one to watch rather than bet on. Don McCain's Khachaturian did not progress as much as may have been anticipated last term but it may be too soon to write him off, while Categorical is race fit but probably needs some help from the handicapper. King Daniel has to be respected on the pick of his form but Venetia Williams has yet to hit top form so he may be best watched and of more interest may be Keith Reveley's Heavenly Chorus, who looks to be going the right way now judged by his recent success over course and distance. Hue has solid claims though and he gets the vote to win again.
King Daniel 11-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 17, 4l behind Border Tale (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Hush Tiger 10-3fav (10-6) In touch, headway halfway to chase leaders, outpaced 3 out, 4th of 6, 17l behind Saif Sareea (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Storm Prospect 20-1 (11-12) Mistake 1st, mid-division, ridden after 5th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 8th of 17, 7l behind Border Tale (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Carrietau 18-1 (11-9) Always behind, last of 10, 32l behind Insurgent (9-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Categorical 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened from next, 4th of 11, 12l behind Traprain (11-4) at Perth 2m clm hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Stainley (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) In touch, effort 3 out, weakened after next, 15th of 17, 23l behind Border Tale (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Hue 3-1co-fav (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, led after last, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct beating Sea Storm (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Tiger King (GER) 11-4fav (11-5) Tracked leader, ridden, every chance 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 17, 3l behind Border Tale (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Khachaturian (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Led, not fluent 5th, ridden headed and weakened approaching 3 out, well behind when mistake 2 out, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Tidal Bay (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Beamish Prince 11-8fav (11-7) Chased leaders, led briefly 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 9, 8l behind Top Tenor (10-7) at Hexham 2m sll hdl (5) gf in May.
Heavenly Chorus 7-2 (9-9) Held up, headway 6th, led last, all out, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct beating Masafi (10-13) by a nk, 9 ran.
Cheer Us On 16-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 5th, chased winner approaching 2 out, hit last, no extra towards finish, 4th of 13, 8l behind Norma Hill (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May.
Oso Magic 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Heavenly Chorus (9-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Kingsbury (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, pushed along and headway and in 4th when fell 3 out fell 4 out in race won by Daldini (10-10) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
Flying Doctor 33-1 (10-11) In touch until 3 out, 13th of 17, 17l behind Border Tale (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Corrib Lad (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Made all, stayed on well from last, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Jan beating World Vision (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
