made most to 9th, chased leaders until weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, headway to lead before last, soon ridden, held on near finish
held up, headway and close up 4th and going well when blundered badly and unseated rider 4 out
held up in touch, headway halfway, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat
tracked leaders, led 9th, ridden and headed before last, rallied flat, held near finish
tracked leaders, outpaced 10th, rallied 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, headway 4 out, outpaced next, ridden 2 out, ran on well flat, not reach leaders
held up, effort and in touch 3 out, outpaced from next
Lethem Air is the tentative suggestion to land the spoils from the in-form Shulmin. The selection's sole win over fences came here in May of last year when he had a chase rating of 104 and he lines up here from a mark of just 89. Admittedly that race wasn't a handicap but it is a pointer to how well handicapped he is now and he has been running well enough over hurdles of late to mark him down as a leading player. I'm Your Man is respected but needs to be forgiven a poor run on his latest start and Shulmin rates a more solid proposition following yet another fine run at Sedgefield but he does have quicker ground to contend with. Fast ground could also be an issue for Ballynure who had been in good form with cut prior to his latest effort. Za Beau and The Saltire Tiger are unexposed over fences but have plenty to prove whilst Divex and Moor Spirit haven't been at their best lately. So, for our pick, we'll return to Lethem Air.
Ballynure (IRE) 15-2 (10-1) Tracked leaders, led 7th, headed 3 out, edged right, no extra approaching last, 4th of 10, 22l behind Russian Sky (10-0) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Moor Spirit 14-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 14, 22l behind Even Flo (10-6) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Divex (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, outpaced 2 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Justwhateverulike (10-9) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May.
The Saltire Tiger 15-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Lord On The Run (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Lethem Air 20-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Ben Britten (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
I'm Your Man 13-2 (10-3) Behind, struggling 14th, 6th and beaten when pulled up 3 out in race won by Fisherman Jack (10-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 11 ran.
Shulmin 7-2fav (10-4) Held up, steady headway 13th, ridden and effort between last 2, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Fisherman Jack (10-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Za Beau (IRE) 9-2 (10-3) Raced keenly, mid-division, lost place and pulled up 4 out in race won by Paradise Bay (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May, 10 ran.
