held up, pushed along 13th, soon struggling
with leader, led after 8th, headed and fell 10th
held up in touch, blundered 5th, pushed along after 12th, outpaced approaching 4 out
led, headed after 8th, led again approaching 10th, headed 16th, ridden and not fluent 4 out, one pace and no chance with winner
held up in rear, hit 6th, headway to join leader 13th, led 16th clear from 4 out comfortably
chased leaders, lost place 9th, weakend from 16th,
Nonrunner
Plenty of interest in the lightly raced Joaaci but it may pay to side with Catch The Perk's experience. Catch The Perk has certainly paid for his consistency over the larger obstacles with a high handicap mark but the fact that connections sought to have two runs over hurdles before coming here suggests that they have had this race on the agenda for some time. A likeable sort, he jumps well and has given every indication that he'll stay. The Irish points have proved a fertile field for British racing in recent years and Joaaci duly went in first time out for Martin Pipe having had winning form across the Irish Sea. Pipe has set the puzzle for the handicapper to guess how good his horse is. The market will show just how confident the Nicholshayne team are of their calculations. Bunratty Castle appeared not to get home at Wincanton over 3m 1f so it is something of a surprise that he lines up here. He is with very few miles on the clock in spite of his age. Kidithou represents an unfashionable combination from all angles of the comment. He has caught out the Ayr bookies who wanted to lay him at fancy prices but today looks a much stiffer task than that that he relished a couple of weeks ago. Majed has rapidly lost his way since losing Martin Pipe and is opposed. The Manse Brae has been off for long periods and will not want any overnight rain. Briar's Mist holds Tarbolton Moss on a line of form over twenty nine furlongs at this course. He should confirm that form but may struggle to see off much classier opposition. Plenty of imponderables but Catch The Perk is an honest enough horse and he secures our selection.
Kidithou (FR) 11-4 Led, headed 5 out, ridden and blundered 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 5, 5l behind A Few Bob Back at Carlisle 3m nov chs (C) gs in Mar.
The Manse Brae (IRE) 11-2 Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, led 6 out, hit next, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Jaoka du Gord at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
Catch The Perk (IRE) 15-8jt-fav Led to 2nd, remained close up, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 8, nk behind Rogues Gallery at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Joaaci (IRE) 9-2 Held up towards rear, steady headway from 12th, led readily 3 out, comfortably, won at Chepstow 3m beg chs (E) hvy in Mar beating Motcombe by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Briar's Mist (IRE) 11-2 Prominent, led 10th to 13th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 18l behind Black Smoke at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Mar.
Devil's Run (IRE) 8-1 In touch, pushed along 20th, outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Malek at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft in Mar.
Bunratty Castle (IRE) 7-4fav Held up towards rear, mistake 11th, headway 14th, left 2nd 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Walter's Destiny at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
Tarbolton Moss 5-1 Tracked leaders, chased winner 18th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 9, 21l behind Briar's Mist at Ayr 3m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Mar.
