tracked leader, led 9th, hard pressed 2 out, ridden clear flat
in touch, headway 10th, went 2nd after 4 out, every chance 2 out, held when not fluent last, weakened flat
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
behind, lost touch 9th, pulled up before 11th
raced keenly and led, headed 9th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up after 4 out
held up, ridden 4 out, chased leaders next, no impression from 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, weakened next
Moonlit Harbour, Dalaram and Red Man form the shortlist and our nod is to Moonlit Harbour. Ferdy Murphy's gelding has never quite reached the heights that were promised during his formative years on the circuit but he jumps well and handles today's surface. Dalaram is well ahead on hurdles ratings but chasing is another game entirely. He is far from straight forward so with the backers and indeed the owners, this is very much a case of sink or swim. Red Man has been campaigned over further but seemed to fair well over the trip a fortnight ago. He kept on for pressure without seriously threatening the race but at least there was enough encouragement there to suggest that he could make his mark. General Cloney has not threatened the judge in three British starts while Uptown Lad has it to do on the official figures. A tentative nod in a trappy affair will go to Moonlit Harbour.
Red Man (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) With leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure approaching last, not reach leaders, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Dead Mans Dante (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Dalaram (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Behind, until blundered badly 2nd, pulled up soon after pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Desert Quest (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar, 29 ran.
General Cloney (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, reminders next, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 34l behind Polyphon (11-12) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Moonlit Harbour 12-1 (11-0) Behind, ridden and headway after 3 out, 4th and no chance when mistake last, 5th of 10, 25l behind Tribal Dancer (9-11) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Apr.
Northern Echo 150-1 (11-4) Behind when badly hampered and brought down at the 2nd in race won by Baby Run (11-4) at Aintree 2m lst nov chs (A) gs in Oct, 5 ran.
Unalienable Right (USA) 1-100 (10-10) Pulled up behind Greek Hero (10-10) at Percy Warner 2m 2f NH flat gd in May '03, 6 ran.
Uptown Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Behind, close up 10th, weakened from 5 out, 7th of 10, well behind Clouding Over (11-8) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gf in Apr.
Viking Song 200-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off, 9th of 13, 44l behind Lucky Duck (10-13) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) sft in Apr.
