held up, smooth headway 11th, switched left and led 2 out, drew clear from last
led to 6th, lost place 8th, rallied to lead again 11th, headed 2 out, soon no extra
raced keenly and held up, headway 9th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 6th to 11th, outpaced 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
in touch, hit and lost place 4th, mistake 7th, headway 10th, hit next, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out
always prominent, effort 4 out, soon ridden and one pace
raced keenly, held up, headway and in touch 7th, blundered and lost place 9th, hit 11th, rallied when mistake 3 out, failed to go 2nd last, no impression
chased leaders, lost place 11th, soon ridden and weakened
A small but competitive field goes to post for this handicap chase and the main protgonists look to be Silver Sedge, Shannon's Pride and Nifty Roy and the vote is given to Silver Sedge. The selection was a good second on his chasing debut behind Jeffertiti, looks sure to improve for the step up in trip and under conditions that suit he will be hard to beat. Shannon's Pride rates the main danger on his latest second behind I Hear Thunder but he just gave the impression the handicaper had caught up with him on that occasion and he is passed over with this in mind. Nifty Roy won well when last seen when beating Masta Pappa but the suspicion is hwe may need the run after a 224 day abscence and he is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder Alfy Rich looks on a handy mark and has conditions to suit but he is often let down by his jumping and for the winner we return to the unexposed Silver Sedge.
Silver Sedge (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Chased winner, ridden approaching 4 out, led 2 out, headed after last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 5, hd behind Jefertiti (11-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Shannon's Pride (IRE) 7-1jt-fav (10-6) Tracked leaders, led 10th, headed 11th, led again 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 20, 7l behind I Hear Thunder (11-2) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Nifty Roy 8-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching last, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Apr beating Master Papa (10-11) by 13l, 10 ran.
Alfy Rich 15-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, in 2nd when mistake 4 out, rallied next, no impression, 4th of 9, 9l behind Corrib Lad (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Lord Saar (IRE) 4-6fav (12-5) won at Alnwick 3m ptp frm in Jan '05 beating Cmewin (12-5) by 3l, 7 ran.
Lauderdale 20-1 (11-4) Chased leader, weakened 11th, 8th of 9, 44l behind Corrib Lad (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Cloudmor (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Towards rear, struggling from 6th, 6th of 12, 20l behind Tin Healy's Pass (10-5) at Hexham 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
The Miner 11-2 (10-7) In touch, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed run-in, ran on, 2nd of 9, nk behind Corrib Lad (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
