held up, smooth headway approaching 4 out, led flat, driven out
tracked leader, led 4th, headed 6th, weakening when blundered 3 out
mid-division, never troubled leaders
mid-division, ridden approaching 10th, never on terms
tracked leaders, every chance last, no extra flat
led, headed 4th, led again 6th, no extra flat
always behind, never troubled leaders
very slowly start, blundered badly 2nd, headway 9th, fell next
mid-division, one pace from 3 out
mistakes in rear, tailed off and pulled up 10th
tracked leaders, weakened 10th, never dangerous
always in rear, never a factor
The market will tell us plenty and DOUBLE GEM is a speculative pick at the expense of Heathfield Flyer and Benny Boy. A winning pointer, he produced an improved effort at Hexham under rules and if he is tried under similar forcing tactics, he could well expose any chinks in the armour of his rivals. Heathfield Flyer represents a yard having winners. The booking of Josh Guerriero is a positive and it is to be hoped that the application of first time blinkers works the oracle. Benny Boy was far from disgraced in a race at Cheltenham and will be a player in this grade if avoiding the mistakes that have proved so costly in the past. Brown's Beck is exposed though relatively consistent as far as the formbook is concerned. Lollipop landed odds on favouritism easily at Aspatria though this is a tougher assignment. Dix Huit Cyborg, who has won two races between the flags, could be best of the rest. Double Gem is the token selection in a race unlikely to live long in the memory.
Accordion Roilelet (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Hdwy 12; ev ch 3 out; one pce, 4th of 9, 5l behind Abandon Ship (12-0) at Witton Castle 3m ptp.
Benny Boy (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Prominent, hit 8th, close 2nd next, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 23l behind Rien A Perdre (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hts chs (5) gd.
Brown's Beck 9-1 (12-5) (tt) hdwy 11; led 14 til aft 2 out; no ex flat, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Network Oscar (12-5) at Mordon 3m ptp.
Broxparisboulevard 10-1 (12-0) Held up; ev ch when pu aft 14, in a race won by Ardnaclancy (12-0) at Mosshouses 3m ptp, 14 ran.
Dix Huit Cyborg (FR) 7-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders and keen, chased winner 4 out, one pace approaching 2 out, 3rd of 4, 22l behind Henry's Pride (12-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (6) gf.
Double Gem (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Led, headed 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 10, 30l behind Eliza Doalott (11-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hts chs (5) gd.
Father Owen 4-1 (12-0) Trckd ldrs to 13; pu 15, in a race won by My Old Piano (12-0) at Heslaker 3m ptp, 7 ran.
Heathfield Flyer 7-1 (12-0) Ss; a bhnd; to & pu 11, in a race won by Run of Kings (12-0) at Cothelstone 3m ptp in May '08, 7 ran.
Knocknaboul King (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Led til hdd aft last; no ex flat, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Lord Who (12-0) at Mosshouses 3m ptp.
Was I Right (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) (cp) a bhnd; to & pu 14, in a race won by Abandon Ship (12-0) at Witton Castle 3m ptp, 9 ran.
Lolipop 4-5 (11-12) Hdwy 8; led 15; easy, won at Aspatria 3m ptp beating Solway Flo (11-12) by 12l, 4 ran.
Overjoyed 8-1 (11-7) Held up; hdwy 14; led 2 out; drvn out, won at Aspatria 3m ptp beating Gallant Girl (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Barrys Lord (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Went prom 9; wknd rap 3 out; pu aft nxt, in a race won by Pristine Condition (12-0) at Flagg Moor 3m ptp in Apr, 6 ran.
