tracked leaders, every chance after 4 out, under pressure 2 out, kept on same pace
disputed lead until lost place 8th, weakened after 4 out, mistake 2 out
held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden to challenge after next, kept on under pressure
held up in touch, took closer order after 10th, stayed on into 3rd approaching last, never able to challenge
chased leaders, led 4 out, soon challenged, stayed on well
disputed lead until led 8th, headed 4 out, soon lost place
held up in rear, mistake 11th, never dangerous
TOTAL ASSETS is the senior runner in this but has gone well fresh in the past. He was only sixth last year but finished ahead of recent Hexham winner Classical Milano and was staying on. His undoubted stamina should be an asset again in a race that may well develop into a bit of a slog. Bafana Blue may not appreciate conditions on his first run since May but Donna's Delight has a good record here and remains unexposed. Buddha Scheme easily beat Cairnshill at Hexham but will need to take a further step forward to complete the double.
Donna's Delight (IRE) 7-2jfav (10-9) In touch, outpaced after 5 out, rallied after 2 out, stayed on under pressure to take remote 3rd last strides, 3rd of 8, 24l behind Lough Derg Farmer (10-7) at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Buddha Scheme (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, led after last, kept on well, won at Hexham 3m (4) sft in Oct beating Cairnshill (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Cairnshill (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) In rear, good headway after 2 out, ridden after last, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Buddha Scheme (11-2) at Hexham 3m (4) sft in Oct.
Total Assets 13-2 (11-12) Chased leaders until lost place and behind when jumped slowly 7th, hampered 15th (water), good headway chasing leaders before 17th, outpaced approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 12, 13 1/2l behind Weststreet (11-10) at Hexham 4m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Bafana Blue 3-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 7th, pushed along to press leader 4 out, ridden after next, outpaced by front pair after 2 out, left 2nd last, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Katgary (12-0) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Classical Milano (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led, headed after 6th, slow 8th, led before 9th, headed 14th, challenged last, soon led, all out, won at Hexham 3m hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Misfits (11-10) by 1l, 7 ran.
Slanemore Hill (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Prominent, lost place from 6th, quickly in rear and soon tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Corinto (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
