held up in rear, headway 5th, challenged 3 out, chased winner last, no impression
led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching next
tracked leaders on inner, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner
tracked leader, led 3 out, clear approaching last, easily
soon chasing leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, weakening when hit last
held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent and keen, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, weakened approaching next, tailed off
The penalised pair LIDAR and Saveiro may have this race between them although it usually pays to stand up and take notice when Tony McCoy rides for Rebecca Curtis and they team up with Praxiteles. Preference is for Alan King's runner who has disappointed connections this season as they hoped that he would be able to take top rank in the novice hurdle division. He had just the one start in a well contested race at Cheltenham in December where he finished well beaten and he didn't reappear until last month at Towcester where he did the job well enough from a horse that ran in the Festival bumper. This is a contrasting track but Lidar ran well in a bumper here and remains a potentially class act. Saveiro has plenty of experience and the upper hand on official figures following his win at Kelso where the better ground helped to show him in a better light. Praxiteles is an interesting contender but proved disappointing at Ffos Las last time and has something to prove as a result whilst Devotion To Duty may fare better once handicapping and this race can go the way of Lidar.
Lidar (FR) 4-6fav (10-12) With leader, led and wandered 3rd, made rest, hard pressed when left 2 lengths clear 2 out, stayed on flat, won at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating De Forgotten Man (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Saveiro (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Made most, under pressure 1f out, kept on gamely, won at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Al Qeddaaf (10-9) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Heron Bay 16-1 (9-7) Held up, never dangerous, 11th of 15, 29l behind Hunterview (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct (flat).
Praxiteles (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Dream Esteem (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Devotion To Duty (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, jumped slowly 5th, soon outpaced, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner next, no impression, 2nd of 7, 15l behind Hunterview (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Double Handful (GER) 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on outer, a close 3rd when horse jinked right and left approaching 1st, unseated rider, in a race won by Orsippus (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Reverend Green (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Always prominent, led over 3f out, ridden inside final furlong, held on, won at Southwell 1m 6f 4yo nhf (4) std in Jan beating Quiet Whisper (10-11) by hd, 12 ran.
Wilbury Star (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 6th, quickly weakened, last of 6, well behind Peter Grimes (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
