towards rear, chased leaders approaching 4 out, ridden and led 2 out, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden approaching when hampered 4 out, weakened from next
prominent, tracked leaders from 3rd, headway to lead 14th, going well when fell 4 out
tracked leaders, outpaced 5th, weakened 9th, behind and pulled up before 13th
towards rear, tracked leaders from 7th, ridden approaching left leader 4 out, headed 2 out, driven and kept on flat
always behind
led, headed 14th, soon ridden and weakened
disputed lead, weakened from 13th, behind and pulled up before 3 out
Assuming that the rain doesn't come then KALMO BAY can land his third course win at the main expense of Mr Preacher Man and Noir Et Vert. A new mark of 111 asks a few more questions of the selection (7 in fact if we're talking pounds), however he is still improving. A decent pace suits and he is likely to get that here and any further drying of the ground is certainly in his favour. Our Jasper is consistent but as a result the handicapper can give him no respite and this mark of 125 looks a tad high, so a bigger threat could be Brave Rebellion if he is back on song and putting his best foot forward (has refused in the past and never went a yard last time out). Mr Preacher Man was a faller last time out at Ayr on heavy ground but his best runs have come under today's likely quicker conditions. He is still 4lbs above his highest winning mark but an improved showing is expected today. Top Dressing has become frustrating to follow since his wins in 2007, including one at this track. He has ability but as he tries this trip for the first time he is fairly easy to take on. Noir Et Vert has dropped to a mark of 126; he was fourth in the Kim Muir last season and ran a fair race last time at Cheltenham, form that has been franked since. He must be considered a major player but the worry is that his trainer may have a bigger race mapped out for him. South Bronx needs to improve on his run at the track last time, and so we are happy to return to Kalmo Bay for the winner.
Brave Rebellion 14-1 (10-2) Towards rear, some progress after 11th, soon ridden and weakened, no chance when pulled up at the last in race won by Miss Mitch (10-5) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan, 17 ran.
Noir Et Vert (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 9th, mistake, hampered 16th, headway 18th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 13, 13l behind Rambling Minster (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Our Jasper 12-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 8th, chased winner approaching 3 out until approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Nacarat (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Mr Preacher Man 7-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 11th, chasing leaders when fell 5 out in race won by King Barry (11-12) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec, 9 ran.
Top Dressing (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Held up, struggling 14th, plugged on from 2 out, went moderate 4th after last, 4th of 10, 26l behind Creinch (9-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Kalmo Bay (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Held up, outpaced 11th, headway to track leaders 5 out, ridden 3 out, kept on from approaching last to lead flat, driven out, won at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Dec beating Divex (10-13) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
South Bronx (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Close up until ridden and weakened from 9th, 13th of 15, well behind Percutant (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Has Scored (IRE) 28-1 (9-11) Behind, hampered 6th, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Montevideo (11-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
