tracked leader, led approaching 7th, headed 9th, chased winner after, no chance when not fluent last
led until approaching 7th, not fluent 8th, weakened 3 out
held up in last, weakened 3 out
held up in 3rd, went 2nd 8th, led 9th, clear approaching last, easily
Blaeberry is taken to score at the expense of Methodical, with Carnival Town, Kawagino, Sole Agent and Megaton all making for an interesting start to proceedings. Most of these have an absence to overcome, but when last seen at Newton Abbot in May, Blaeberry looked in good heart as she gained a fourth success over timber. Unfortunately, Emma Lavelle's mare has risen up the weights and so it is now time for her to go chasing. She handles fast ground and is sure to have been well schooled by regular pilot Barry Fenton, so can make the most of the weight that she receives from her male rivals. Blaeberry's biggest danger could well be the other mare Methodical who shaped well on her chase debut at Huntingdon two-months ago, finishing second to the useful That Look. Sam Jones takes 5lb off her back which will come in handy. Carnival Town was third to Pancake over hurdles at Warwick in February, so is expected to need the run, and in addition he has not encountered ground this fast. Kawagino is not as good over fences as he was over timber, but there is no getting away from the fact that the County Hurdle fourth has taken on top opponents in his time. It would be no surprise if he went close here, while Megaton and Sole Agent both have the ability to make their mark over fences. A decent little contest can go to Blaeberry.
Kawagino (IRE) 15-8 (11-2) In touch, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed after last, led again flat, headed close home, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Jam Packed (10-10) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jun.
Megaton 7-2 (11-3) Towards rear, blundered 3rd, behind from 10th, mistake last, 9th of 14, 42l behind Warpath (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Oct.
Sole Agent (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Raced on inside of track, mid-division, ridden 4 out, keeping on moderately when mistake 3 out, 4th of 8, 17l behind Migwell (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Feb.
Blaeberry 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, led after 4th, in command from 2 out, comfortably, won at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in May beating Ameeq (11-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
Carnival Town 7-2 (11-9) Tracked winner, mistake 3rd, ridden 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Pancake (11-3) at Warwick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Methodical 25-1 (10-9) In touch, stumbled on landing 2 out, chased winner next, never able to challenge, 2nd of 13, 8l behind That Look (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Aug.
