led or disputed lead until went on after 9th, 4 lengths clear 2 out, reduced advantage last, driven and no extra flat, headed closing stages
mid-division, hit 6th, modest 4th when not fluent 5 out, left remote 3rd 2 out, no chance with leaders, mistake last
led or disputed lead to after 9th, tracked leader, hit 11th, pushed along after 5 out, ridden after next, 4 lengths down 2 out, rallied last, stayed on to lead closing stages, all out
chased leaders, dropped to mid-division 7th, struggling 12th, tailed off 4 out
always behind, not fluent 3rd, lost touch and pulled up after 7th
tracked leaders, mistake 11th, headway and close up in 3rd when fell 3 out
jumped badly right, soon detached in rear, tailed off when pulled up after 11th
never better than mid-division, behind and struggling 12th, left remote 4th 3 out
DONNA'S DIAMOND is the best of these over hurdles having won a Grade 2 contest and though no threat to the winner when runner-up at Hexham on his recent debut over fences, Chris Grant's charge finished well ahead of Senor Lombardy. The latter started favourite on that occasion so better is expected today while the selection's stablemate Slanemore Hill finished a well beaten third at Wetherby on his chasing bow. Catchamat is another chasing newcomer and is preferred to Castletown, who struggled over fences at Perth on his penultimate start.
Castletown (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders halfway, weakened 2 out, 7th of 19, 14 1/4l behind Take A Break (11-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Claud And Goldie (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) In touch on outside, not fluent 5 out, weakened next, 5th of 13, 32 1/4l behind Vinndication (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Donna's Diamond (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 4 out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Top Ville Ben (11-0) at Hexham 3m (4) sft in Nov.
Lovely Schtuff (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Led to 6th, chased winner, lost place 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 4th of 7, dist behind The Paddy Pie (11-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Rocket Man Rodney 12-1 (10-12) Led, driven and headed over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 16 3/4l behind Soviet Castle (10-12) at Catterick 2m (5) gd in Nov.
Senor Lombardy (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) In rear, mistake 2nd, outpaced from 4 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Top Ville Ben (11-0) at Hexham 3m (4) sft in Nov.
Slanemore Hill (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Off the pace in 4th, went modest 3rd at 10th until 5 out, left remote 3rd again 4 out, 3rd of 5, 24 1/4l behind Rocky's Treasure (12-2) at Wetherby 3m (4) gd in Nov.
Catchamat 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, closed on outside 6th, ridden and struggling after 3 out, 6th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Princess Mononoke (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
