led 4th, headed 11th, mistake 17th and next, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off
always in touch, headway 11th, joined leader 3 out, mistake next, stayed on well to lead flat, pushed out
refused to race, took no part
held up, steady headway from 11th, went 3rd after 4 out, weakened approaching last
led 2nd, headed next, one paced from 4 out
behind, headway 11th, weakened approaching 4 out
in touch, headway 12th, ridden after 4 out, one pace
jumped right throughout, behind from 11th, tailed off
chased leaders, led 11th, ridden approaching last, headed and no extra flat
blundered and unseated rider 1st
behind from 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
led to 2nd, behind from 11th, tailed off
As usual, this amateurs contest can be narrowed to about three with realistic chances. Careysville was once a decent chaser but only turns out once or twice a year now. He was ninth in this last year and is sure to have been well prepared to improve on that. Alaska was seventh 12 months ago, while Folly Road finished a creditable fourth, but neither make appeal. David Pipe saddled Barryscourt Lad to be second to Kings Mistral last year, and Joanna Holmes is on board the stable's Family Business who limbered up with a run at Wincanton. He will be there or thereabouts, but the one they all have to beat is Storm Damage. Useful at his best, the 11 year-old is on the downgrade these days, but has everything in his favour here. He acts well on the course, likes the trip and goes on the ground, plus he has the competent Jamie Snowdon aboard. Sandown regulars will remember him partnering Folly Road to victory in the Grand Military Gold Cup here last March, and in Storm Damage, successful in the Agfa Diamond Chase over track and trip two years ago, he has the perfect ally.
