close up, ridden after 3 out and dropped to rear, weakened quickly before 2 out
made virtually all at modest pace early on, pushed along and wandered before 2 out, went clear before last where not fluent, kept on, readily
tracked front pair, chased leader before 2 out, mistake 2 out and soon left behind by winner, well held and not fluent last, ridden and stayed on one pace
towards rear, raced keenly, not fluent early, pushed along after 3 out, jumped right 2 out, ridden before last and no impression
in rear, minor headway into narrow 3rd before 2 out, slow jump 2 out, soon weakened
The four-year-old Carn A Chlamain didn't win in eleven starts on the Flat but made a bright start over timber at Southwell. However, a penalty means he has to concede weight to the year older FINEST VIEW, a winning bumper who has improved with every run over timber and came home well clear at Ludlow. Dual all-weather winner Galahad Threepwood made a promising start over hurdles at Newcastle while Iskar D'airy, a winning bumper in France and beaten narrowly into third at Fontwell last month, makes his hurdling debut. Neither of the remaining pair can be dismissed in a tricky opener.
Carn A Chlamain (USA) 17-2 (10-6) Mid-division, headway travelling well home turn, ridden to lead 2 out, clear last when idled, ran on well flat, won at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Apr beating Salsada (11-0) by 5 1/2l, 9 ran.
Finest View 6-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, pressed leader before 3 out, led 3 out, pushed out and went clear run-in, readily, won at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Mar beating Choral Work (11-5) by 9 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mandocello (FR) 18-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, 3rd after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon edged right, not fluent and lost 3rd last, one pace, 4th of 15, 11 1/4l behind Prince Escalus (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Barenboim 7-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Eye Knee (8-9) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Sep.
Iskar D'airy (FR) 11-10fav (11-0) Held up in 4th with cover, smooth headway out wide over 2f out, driven along to lead narrowly final 150 yards, no extra and headed towards finish, lost 2nd final stride, 3rd of 4, 1/4l behind Cuban Court (10-7) at Fontwell 1m 6f (5) gd in Apr.
Galahad Threepwood 2-1 (11-0) In touch in mid-vision, closed on inside before 3rd, switched right before 2 out, kept on to press for 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 3rd of 9, 4 3/4l behind Fingal's Hill (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (4) gd in Mar.
