made all, jumped left 10th, clear before last, stayed on well
mid-division, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway before 12th, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, outpaced before 4 out, kept on to go 4th from last, one pace and no impression
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner from 2 out, weakened before last
towards rear, headway 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, chased winner before last, no impression
held up towards rear, pushed along after 15th, weakened next, tailed off, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, challenged 15th, blundered 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, soon struggling, tailed off
This is a terrific contest for the time of year and Across The Bay would go close if able to transfer last season's smart form over hurdles back over fences. Super Ally is a real course specialist having won four of his six starts here while Rolecarr's strike rate is even more impressive. Ann Hamilton's charge is three from three on the track. Bescot Springs and Leac An Scail may find a few of these too good but the former's stablemate Blenheim Brook wouldn't be without a chance and is preferred to Lord Villez and the returning Cavers Glen. LIE FORRIT goes well fresh and beat Blenheim Brook on identical terms over 2m7f here last December. Though Lucinda Russell's charge reversed the form at Ayr subsequently, Willie Amos' gelding may be the one today as he still has plenty of scope over fences.
Across The Bay (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Led, ridden after 4 out, headed next, kept on same pace, no chance with winner when lost 2nd 2 out, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Big Buck's (11-7) at Aintree 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Apr.
Blenheim Brook (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 10th, hit 12th, jumped slowly 14th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 33l behind Summery Justice (11-1) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Apr.
Lie Forrit (IRE) Evensfav (11-7) Tracked leader, pushed along before 4 out, every chance 2 out, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 3, 1 1/4l behind Blenheim Brook (11-7) at Ayr 3m 1f nov chs (4) sft in Feb.
Lord Villez (FR) 20-1 (10-7) In rear, not fluent 1st, pushed along and detaced from 10th, headway before 4 out, chased winner from last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Garleton (11-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in May.
Rolecarr (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Held up in touch, pushed along 10th, hit 5 out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 5, 33l behind Garleton (11-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Mar.
Bescot Springs (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up behind, chased leaders 12th, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 10, 12l behind Lively Baron (11-5) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Cavers Glen 5-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway from 11th, led after 3 out, ridden clear after 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan '11 beating See You There (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 4-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Sotovik (10-10) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jul.
Super Ally (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Problema Tic (11-11) at Ayr 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
