led, reminders after 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, behind when blundered 2 out
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden between last two, stayed on well flat
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, effort next, kept on but not reached winner
chased leaders to halfway, lost touch 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, headway when mistake 7th, ridden after 3 out, kept on one-paced from next
held up and behind when blundered badly and unseated rider 3rd
Lord York, better known as a chaser, has his second successive outing over hurdles having finished a close third to Cotapaxi at Southwell last time. He has to be respected but whether the 12-year-old will be so effective over this longer trip, and on a slower surface, remains to be seen. Poachers Run looks the better of George Moore's two runners off just a 3lb higher mark than when scoring over course and distance a fortnight ago. Royal Castle showed little of encouragement on his reappearance at Market Rasen last month, while Cherry Tart looks plenty high enough for her first start of the season. The TEAMtalk selection then is River Ness who also makes his comeback following the summer break. Fitness should not be a problem though, as Nicky Richards has sent out a couple of winners recently and, although her future is likely to be over fences, she still looks unexposed over hurdles.
