tracked leaders and keen, weakened from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, blundered 6th, went remote 3rd after 5 out
in rear, reminders after 2nd, weakened from 5th, pulled up before 7th, tailed off
chased leader, pecked 3rd, led after 5 out, ridden and kept on under pressure from 3 out
led, blundered 9th, headed after next, rallied and every chance 3 out, not quickened from last
This should not take much winning and in what looks a virtual match, preference is for Mr Strachan over Kruguyrova, with Ma Yahab rated the pick of the remainder. The selection was useful over hurdles, has shown promise from limited opportunities over fences so far, including when narrowly beaten by Nudge And Nurdle at Kelso last time and is taken to go one better today. Neither Gemini Storm nor Arte Et Marte make much appeal and of more interest may be Ma Yahab, although he was well held at Hereford last time. Charlie Egerton's French import Kruguyrova looked decent when making a winning chase debut in the UK at Plumpton recently and has to be respected but marginal preference is for Mr Strachan.
Arte Et Marte (IRE) Accordion gelding, brother to winning bumper Ryehill Lady.
Gemini Storm 20-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, effort 4 out, weakened 2 out, last of 5, 33l behind Pseudonym (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (3) gf.
Ma Yahab 12-1 (11-0) Towards rear, mistake 13th, one pace, 4th of 12, 25l behind Over The Creek (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs.
Mr Strachan (IRE) 8-11fav (11-1) Tracked leader, mistake 11th, every chance last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 4, hd behind Nudge And Nurdle (11-1) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (2) gs.
Kruguyrova (FR) 13-8fav (10-2) Led 3rd, hit 5th, clear 4 out, jumped left 2 out, kept on, won at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft beating Its A Dream (11-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
