chased leader, hit 2nd, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out
in touch, ridden and weakened 4 out
chased leading pair, led soon after 3 out, hit 2 out, eased near finish
in rear, ridden and weakened 3 out
led and soon clear with one other, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
in rear, headway 5th, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out
in rear, headway 5th, chased leader next, led 3 out, soon headed, kept on one pace
A Hit Is A Hit has won a bumper and a handicap on the all-weather in Ireland but has shown nothing so far in two runs for Evan Williams. Green Lightning won three times on the Flat for Mark Johnston but all of his form is on a fast surface and he was tailed off on his hurdles bow. Ghaabesh hinted at ability in his native France and could be interesting on his hurdling debut but this may rest between exposed pair MAHFAL and My Viking Bay. There's not much between them on official ratings but Brian Ellison's charge may just handle the soft ground a little better and gets the nod.
A Hit Is A Hit (FR) 20-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, shaken up and lost touch 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Dj Milan (11-1) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Garyricken (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, jumped slowly and lost place 2nd, ridden after 5th, struggling 7th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Balding Banker (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Ghaabesh (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, lost poor 4th over 1f out, 5th of 8, 23l behind Kuda Huraa (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Apr (flat).
Green Lightning (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, lost place approaching 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Tour D'argent (11-8) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Mahfal (FR) 9-4fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, hit 7th, chased winner from 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression, 2nd of 7, 18l behind Railway Rico (11-2) at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Indefinite Hope (ITY) 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and lost 3rd 3f out, weakened approaching final 2f, 9th of 12, 13l behind Monashee Rock (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Sep (flat).
My Viking Bay (IRE) 10-3 (10-5) Held up mid-division on inside, ridden to chase leaders before 3 out, stayed on same pace, went 3rd before last, no impression, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Kindly Note (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Apr.
Tibberton Tara Kayf Tara filly out of Give Me Strength.