chased clear leading pair, not fluent 1st, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, beaten when jumped left last
held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, jumped slowly 8th, well behind 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, pushed along after 8th, mistake next and 10th, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, pushed along after 6th, well beaten after 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in rear, ridden and detached approaching 9th, ran on flat, never nearer
in touch in main group, lost place after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in rear, mistake 3rd, effort approaching 3 out, no impression, blundered last
took keen hold in mid-division, not fluent 7th, mistake next, headway 9th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, pushed along 6th, headway approaching 3 out where mistake, never on terms
in touch in main group, weakened approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, tailed off
mid-division on outside, lost place when mistake 6th, reminder after next, weakened quickly and pulled up before 8th
mid-division, not fluent and reminder 9th, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd when jumped left last, led flat, stayed on well
took keen hold, led, hit 7th, clear 2 out, soon hung right, headed flat, eased once beaten
chased leader, pecked slighty 5th, mistake next, blundered 2 out, rider dropped whip soon after, lost 2nd before last, weakened flat
The finish of the John Smith's Sefton Novice Hurdle should be contested by Western Leader, Wayward Prince and PHIDIPPIDES with the vote going to the latter named. Evan Williams looks to have a very nice prospect on his hands and his son of Presenting is very much on the up. He lowered the colours of a very good Henderson horse in his last race, showing great heart and determination to hold on. His bold front running style should be seen to good effect today and hopefully he can get an uncontested lead. Irish raider Western Leader has been laid out to win this race by his shrewd trainer, John "Shark" Hanlon. Hanlon's horse had serious bumper form and has transferred his ability to jumps. He has showed a good level of form and the step up in trip, on good ground is sure to suit. Another Williams, Ian, turns out Wayward Prince and his six year son of Alflora should be considered. He finished a good second in a grade two on his last run and looks to be a thorough stayer. He too looks to have been laid out for this race. One for each-way backers is the Tony McCoy ridden, Hopeful Start. If this field of 14 go off hell for leather, McCoy's mount could be left to pick up the pieces. There is not much between these but we feel Phidippides has more going for him then the rest.
Cannington Brook (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led going well approaching 3 out, clear before next, easily, won at Ludlow 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Ardkilly Rebel (11-4) by 11l, 13 ran.
Chamirey (FR) 28-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, effort when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 24, 5l behind Buena Vista (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Double Expresso 4-6fav (11-2) Mid-division, hit 5th, smooth headway to chase leaders from 7th, challenged and going well 3 out, led well before 2 out, clear when went left last, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Benny Be Good (11-9) by 10l, 9 ran.
Hopeful Start (IRE) 13-8 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway approaching 4 out, went 2nd approaching next, ridden to challenge when not fluent last, kept on to lead flat, held on well, won at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Adams Island (11-8) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Kennel Hill (IRE) 4-6fav (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 8th, joined leader 2 out, led next, readily, won at Ludlow 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Acrai Rua (11-1) by 9l, 7 ran.
Lord Generous 16-1 (11-3) With leader, challenged 2 out, soon ridden and every chance, lost place approaching last, no extra, 5th of 24, 9l behind Pause And Clause (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Midnight Tuesday (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, steady headway to chase leaders 3 out, switched left and stayed on approaching last, went 3rd after last, kept on well to press for 2nd, no chance with winner, 3rd of 15, 4l behind Master Of The Hall (11-11) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Phidippides (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Made all, pushed along and pressed 2 out, narrow lead last, kept on gamely to assert final 100 yards, won at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Feb beating Quantitativeeasing (11-12) by nk, 6 ran.
The Giant Bolster 200-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inside, lost place and behind 5th, headway when not fluent 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, no impression flat, 6th of 17, 7l behind Peddlers Cross (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
The Minack (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Jumped exuberantly, led until after 3rd, led 6th until after 7th, edged left and led approaching 2 out, still strongly pressed when left in command last, edged left flat, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (2) sft in Feb beating Sarando (11-3) by 1l, 5 ran.
Voramar Two 1-6fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 8th, led 4 out, well clear after next, hit last, very easily, won at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Upham Atom (11-3) by 14l, 7 ran.
Wayward Prince 7-2 (11-8) Held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 8th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, kept on towards finish, always held, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Wymott (11-8) at Haydock 3m 1f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Western Leader (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Made all, driven clear after 2 out, eased on run-in, impressive, won at Thurles 2m 4f Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (5yo+) sft in Feb beating Premier Victory (11-3) by 12l, 8 ran.
Premier Victory (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led before 6th, ridden and headed before straight, no extra in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 28l behind For Bill (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mrs nov hdl G3 hvy.
