tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and under pressure next, all out
held up, ridden and headway 3 out, 3rd and driven when fell last
prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next
led to 5th, remained close up until weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, headway to track leaders approaching 3 out, challenging when hit 2 out, every chance flat, held towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
always behind, hit 4th, struggling when hit 5 out, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
A very tricky contest and we will take a chance with Karanja, Jeremy Cuddle Duck and Ain't That A Shame are also expected to go well. The selection made a big impression in the bumper world last season, winning his first three races. His final contest was at the Cheltenham festival where he started at 5/1. However his race ended before it began as he unseated Nina Carberry at the start. He will no doubt have been well schooled by his adept trainer and he could be a star in the making. Ain't That A Shame also landed a bumper last season and ran well under a penalty behind Yoboya. He has been off the course since Frebruary but if fit he should be capable of getting involved here. Jeremy Cuddle Duck has landed two modest events in good style and if the hurdles newcomers are in need of the experience he could be the one to take advantage. So not a race to get two heavily involved in, but Karanja looks an exciting prospect and gets our vote.
Jeremy Cuddle Duck (IRE) 15-8fav (10-11) Prominent, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs beating Private Be (10-11) by 2l, 11 ran.
Ain't That A Shame (IRE) Evensfav (11-11) Pulled early and held in mid-division, headway on bit to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Yaboya (10-13) at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb.
Double Gem (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Tracked leader, every chance 3 out, ridden and one pace next, finished 4th promoted to 3rd, 3rd of 17, 16l behind Chef de Cour (10-12) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (D) gf in May.
Highland Chief (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up, steady headway over 4f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 17, 5l behind Kate's Gift (10-13) at Ludlow 2m nhf (H) gd in Apr.
Karanja 5-1 (11-5) Hampered start and unseated rider in race won by Missed That (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Regal Heights (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) In touch, lost place and niggled along after 6f, headway 5f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, just held on, won at Towcester 2m mdn nhf (H) gs in Apr beating Dan's Man (10-13) by a shd, 17 ran.
Lady Spur (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Behind when fell at the 6th in race won by Black Jack Ketchum (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gd, 11 ran.
Letsplay (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Never near leaders, 5th of 15, 26l behind Buena Vista (11-3) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (C) gf in Jun.
Monsieur Delage 7-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway approaching 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace when hit last, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Square Mile (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd.
