chased leaders, driven to challenge before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, hit 4th, joined leader next, led before 2 out, stayed on well
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on well under pressure
led, joined 5th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, raced wide, headway 3 out, every chance next, one pace approaching last
NonRunner
NonRunner
NonRunner
After Aspen is only 4lb higher than when scoring at Lingfield in February with a subsequent run coming over fences. Volcanic travelled strongly for a long way last time at Carlisle but downed tools once pressure was applied. TRANSPENNINE STAR was third over 2m5f at Wetherby on his handicap debut. A stayer on the Flat, there must be a good chance that he’ll stay the longer trip, even on a stiff track like this, so he gets the vote. Kayla is a course and distance winner who was second in this last year but she hasn’t raced since October and veteran chaser I'm In Charge is returning from an 18-month absence on going that will be softer than ideal. Stage Summit is probably fairly treated on his handicap bow but Pink Gin and Bandon Roc have a bit to prove at present.
After Aspen (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Led, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, soon headed, remained prominent, under pressure 4 out, kept on under pressure closing stages, 3rd of 4, 15 1/2l behind Enjoy Responsibly (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Bandon Roc 7-4fav (11-7) Tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, reminders after 5 out, soon pushed along, soon weakened, last of 4, dist behind Allmyown (10-4) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Transpennine Star 8-1 (11-8) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden when left 3rd at last, stayed on, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Allfredandnobell (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Pink Gin 13-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place and towards rear 12th, mistake 15th, soon weakened, pulled up before 17th, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
I'm In Charge 11-8fav (11-0) In rear and in touch, headway before 2 out, every chance last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Gentleman Jon (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Stage Summit (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Chased leading trio, jumped left and went 3rd 6th until before 4 out, modest 3rd again before 3 out where jumped left, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 7, 14 1/4l behind Silver Kayf (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) sft in Mar.
Volcanic (FR) 5-2jfav (11-11) Led, headed after 2nd, tracked leader, badly hampered by loose horse 3 out, every chance before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 24 1/2l behind Skipthescales (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Kayla 7-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 3rd, disputed lead from next until led again 10th, headed before 4 out, rallied after next, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 11 3/4l behind Aunty Ann (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
