held up in touch, effort and hit 3 out, weakened next
led to 5th, tracked winner, hit 7th, ridden and hit 3 out, every chance last, not quicken flat
tracked leader and keen, led 5th, jumped left and mistake 7th, ridden approaching last, driven out
tracked leaders and keen, hampered and unseated rider 7th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Before The Mast gets a narrow vote over Kirov King, Kercabellec and Moor Spirit. Before The Mast has been frustrating to follow, having been fancied on more than one occasion this season, but hopefully this step up in trip will unlock the door to his potential as a decent chaser. Judged by the way that he has been staying on at the end of his last few races, including over hurdles, he has been crying out for this trip, and off 10st there can be no excuses. Kirov King improved dramatically to hack up at Plumpton on his reappearance last time, and there is no doubt that the stable worked wonders to get him fit after an eight-month break, but it is debatable whether there will be more improvement to come. Kercabellec did nothing wrong when making all over the course-and-distance last month, but that was a beginners chase and he has to give 8lb to the selection here. Moor Spirit has claims on past form but disappointed badly at Stratford and cannot be supported with confidence. With trip, ground and weight conditions all in his favour, we return to Before The Mast as the answer.
Sands Rising 20-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, lost place approaching 6th, tailed off, 5th of 6, 25l behind Polyphon (11-10) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Kercabellec (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Made all, clear approaching 8th, hit last, eased towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Mar beating Iris's Prince (11-2) by 19l, 10 ran.
Kirov King (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 5th and 6th, went 2nd on long run after 8th, led and jumped left 4 out, in command and clear after 3 out, easily, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Mar beating Denarius Secundus (10-0) by.
Before The Mast (IRE) 11-4co-fav (10-13) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Wizard of Edge (11-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Mar.
Moor Spirit 8-1 (11-7) Never a danger and pulled up 3 out in race won by Umbrella Man (11-2) at Stratford 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
Julies Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 9, 33l behind Sitting Duck (10-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Lost In Normandy (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden 12th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 16l behind Young Lorcan (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar.
Scotmail Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Chased leader, lost place approaching 2 out, soon ridden and beaten, 4th of 11, 10l behind Uneven Line (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
