made most, slight lead when fell 4 out
chased leaders, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, rallied to lead flat, kept on
held up in rear, mistake 2nd, headway to chase leaders 11th, outpaced when left 4th 4 out, rallied approaching last, no extra flat
towards rear, outpaced when blundered 12th
close up, every chance 4 out until no extra towards finish
behind, lost touch halfway
chased leaders, left in lead 4 out, headed flat, faded
close up, disputing 3rd when hampered, unseated rider 3 out
towards rear, blundered, unseated rider 8th
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Scots Grey, Silver Jack and Rasharrow and the narrow vote is given to Scots Grey. The selection won well over the national fences last time out when beating Pak Jack. That form has since been franked and off what looks a handy mark under conditions that suit he looks the one to be on. Silver Jack rates the main danger as he also won well last time out when beating Locksmith but all his best form is with more cut in the ground and he is taken on with this in mind. Rasharrow looked a horse to follow in the early part of the season but he has been continually let down by his jumping. Of the remainder Ballycassidy has dropped to a handy mark and has conditions to suit and with his yard in form he could go well at a price but for the winner we are happy to return to Scots Grey.
Rasharrow (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) In touch and mistakes, blundered 7th, outpaced from 12th, 5th of 6, 30l behind Yes Sir (11-10) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gf in Apr.
Ballycassidy (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 4 out, driven and soon one pace, 6th of 23, 32l behind Hot Weld (9-9) at Ayr 4m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Tango Royal (FR) 25-1 (11-12) With leaders, weakened and blundered 7th, pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Treasury Counsel (10-7) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Classic Capers 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 12th, effort 4 out, ridden and outpaced next, 7th of 15, well behind Dream Alliance (11-3) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) sft in Apr.
Scots Grey 9-2 (12-0) Led, headed approaching 2 out, soon pushed along, hard ridden and stayed on strongly flat to lead near finish, won at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gd in Apr beating Pak Jack (12-0) by 1/2l, 27 ran.
Direct Access (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Chased leader, weakened 13th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Master Sebastian (10-1) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Silver Jack (IRE) 13-8fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 13th, drew clear flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Mar beating Locksmith (11-12) by 14l, 6 ran.
Possextown (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Pressed leader until 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 27l behind Butler's Cabin (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Harlov (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Always behind and pulled up at the 17th in race won by Back In Business (10-5) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr, 18 ran.
