tracked leader, led briefly 6th, weakened 2 out, mistake last
took keen hold in touch, headway to chase leading pair 10th, until weakened after 3 out
not fluent, in touch, not fluent and ridden 7th, well behind when pulled up before 9th
tracked leaders in 4th, chased leading pair going well after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, pushed out flat, comfortably
chased leaders, kept on from 3 out, stayed on to press for 2nd flat, no chance with easy winner
held up, struggling 9th, well behind when blundered 4 out
blundered 1st, led, blundered and briefly headed 6th, ridden and joined 2 out, soon headed, no chance with winner, held on to hold 2nd flat
behind, blundered 4 out, slogged on at one pace from next
A particularly poor contest where The Newsman may be good enough to defy his ancient status once more and notch up another win, with Saddlers Cloth and Acertack other possibles. Punters will by now have a good clue as to the chance of The Newsman on a line through Ri Na Realta, whom he beat last time and who ran earlier on the card. A 10lb hike will make this much tougher, but there is not much else to enthuse about so we'll make him a tentative choice. Saddlers Cloth is another c&d winner and she has age on her side. This too is tougher than her maiden chase success and she looks harshly treated for what she has achieved. Acertack is another with a squeak from this mark, having won off higher in the past and with first-time blinkers to assist Richard Rowe's charge may give the selection most to do, but we are happy to side with The Newsman to gain success for the pensioners.
Saddlers Cloth (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Chased clear leader to 10th, weakened 12th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Harris Bay (11-5) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Rainbows Aglitter 33-1 (10-6) Always in rear, 14th of 17, 31l behind Hasty Prince (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
The Newsman (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, disputed lead last, kept on to lead soon after, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Apr beating Ri Na Realta (11-3) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Master T (USA) 16-1 (11-8) Held up, mistake 9th, hit 11th, some headway approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 14l behind Soeur Fontenail (11-11) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Dec.
Pan The Man (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Behind when mistake 4th pulled up at the 5th in race won by Nobody Tells Me (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar, 20 ran.
The Mighty Sparrow (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, no impression, 7th of 10, 43l behind Northaw Lad (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd.
Acertack (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) In touch until lost place quickly and pulled up at the 8th in race won by Walcot Lad (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Apr, 8 ran.
McSnappy 10-1 (11-4) Behind, no chance when fell 3 out in race won by Denarius Secundus (10-3) at Plumpton 2m 1f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Apr, 9 ran.
