towards rear, steady headway 6th, ridden and weakened after 2 out
held up mid-division, weakened 6th, behind when mistake 3 out
led, headed 4th, weakened after 2 out
tracked leader, led 4th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden from 6th, soon weakened
soon prominent, weakened after 6th
in touch and keen, ridden and weakened 2 out
tracked leaders and keen, weakened after 6th
held up mid-division, steady headway after 6th, led and not fluent approaching 2 out, hampered by loose horse soon after, all out when headed close home
held up rear, headway approaching 3 out, kept on
towards rear, steady headway after 6th, plugged on one pace
close up and unseated rider 1st
always prominent, ridden 2 out, all out to lead close home
Always Baileys gets a tentative vote over Kavatcha, with Master Bell and Afair Promise another couple with claims of a sort. This is a trappy contest to start proceedings, but in the hope that Always Baileys will have learnt from his first two outings over timber, Trevor Wall's charge is selected. Runner-up on his debut over hurdles at Ludlow in March, he took on better company than today's in the race won by Tritonix at Warwick later that month. Successful on fast ground on the Flat, conditions should not be a problem, and he gets a sporting vote to open his account. Kavatcha is one of two David Pipe runners and is the mount of Tony McCoy. He will be all the better for his introduction to the obstacles, and he would not have to be anything special to figure in the finish. Master Bell showed improved form when fourth at Stratford so has to merit a mention, while Afair Promise got bogged down in the heavy going at Kempton, and his stable certainly is not finished for the season yet. The market will be informative as regards the remainder, but the pin comes down on Always Baileys.
