in touch, led 2nd, headed 5th, led again 7th, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, under pressure 8th, soon weakened
led until 2nd, led again 5th, headed 7th, led again 8th, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, reminders 2nd, lost place 8th, pulled up before 2 out
always behing, pulled up 2 out
held up mid-division, lost place 7th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, lost place 7th, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, under pressure 8th, soon outpaced, headway after last, stayed on
behind, headway 8th, lost place after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, chased leaders 8th, led after 4 out, clear before last, readily
behind, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, never able to challenge
always behind pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, effort before 3 out, soon weakened
This is a quality contest where a chance can be given to several, but RATE OF KNOTS looks to be progressing at just that, and he can take advantage of a lenient rating, with That's Rhythm and Jass others to note. Merigo's last outing came when winning the prestigious Eider Chase at Newcastle, and conditions will not be testing enough for him here. Jass was pulled up when made favourite for that affair, having been a facile winner of a good event at Doncaster previously. He is very capable, but has gone up the weights and last season needed several runs before hitting form. That's Rhythm has been brought along gradually, landing a novice contest before falling in the Scottish National. He rarely runs a bad race and can be expected to go well. Rate of Knots landed successive races last season before finishing a close second at Newbury in a good quality affair on his last start back in March. This trainer and jockey combination landed a good win at Aintree last weekend and can do so again here with Rate of Knots.
Jass 4-1fav (11-9) Held up, ridden 5 out, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Merigo (11-1) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb, 13 ran.
Merigo (FR) 5-1 (11-1) In touch, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, switched right approaching last, stayed on well under pressure to lead near finish, won at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb beating Morgan Be (11-3) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sherwoods Folly 25-1 (11-8) Led to 8th, chased leader until left in lead 14th, headed before 2 out, weakened last, 11th of 24, 28l behind Character Building (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Tot O'Whiskey 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden 8th, weakened after next, 9th of 14, 19l behind Templer (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Wild Cane Ridge (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) In rear, soon pushed along, well behind 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Aleron (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in May, 12 ran.
Antonius Caesar (FR) 11-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, weakened 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Russian Around (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (2) gd in May, 17 ran.
Zitenka (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up, weakened from 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Description (10-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Mr Strachan (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along after half way, no impression from 3 out, 7th of 9, 21l behind Description (10-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Malko de Beaumont (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, hit 8th, weakening 5 out, pulled up before 4 out and dismounted, in a race won by Victory Gunner (9-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Feb, 7 ran.
Silver By Nature 8-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, well beaten 12th, 5th of 9, 38l behind Tempsford (10-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Rate of Knots (IRE) 4-1fav (9-13) Held up in rear, hit 3rd, steady headway travelling well 4 out, chased leaders after next, went 2nd last, ridden, one pace flat, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Aimigayle (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f mrs lst nov hcp chs (5yo+) (1) gd in Mar.
Back To Bid (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Chased winner to 9th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Beat The Boys (10-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Teeming Rain (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Prominent, led 6th until 12th, led 15th, ridden and hard pressed from 2 out, stayed on well from last, ridden out, won at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Present M'lord (10-8) by 3l, 14 ran.
Reel Charmer 11-2 (11-2) Held up mid-division, ridden and no impression approaching 3 out, 7th of 13, 24l behind Kells Castle (10-9) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Sep.
That's Rhythm (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Mid-division when fell 20th, in a race won by Hello Bud (10-9) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 17 ran.
Fair Point (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Led, headed 12th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 38l behind Russian Around (10-12) at Lingfield 3m nov stks (3) gd in Mar.
