prominent, one pace from 3 out
held up, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
led and keen, headed last, kept on
held up, pushed along approaching 5th, no impression approaching 2 out
held up, hit 2nd, weakened after 5th
in rear, pushed along after 3rd, weakened from 5th
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led last, kept on well
held up towards rear, pushed along 4th, weakened from 4 out
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, went 3rd approaching 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
Nigel Twiston-Davies has his team in good form so De Bansha Man cannot be discounted but he has disappointed in both starts over hurdles so far and looks best watched in a race taken to go to Nicky Henderson's bumper winner ZAZAMIX, with Black Apache rated the main danger. The selection was good value for his debut success at Newbury nearly a year ago and, having disappointed in the bumper at Aintree on Grand National day, ran better when a close third at Ludlow later in the month. Nicky Henderson normally has his hurdlers well schooled for their first outing and with the stable in flying form, he looks worth backing. Oliver Sherwood's Abey M'Boy failed to build on his debut success in a Hereford bumper and was well beaten on his hurdling debut at Chepstow last month and a bigger threat may come from Black Jack Blues. Twice a bumper winner, the six-year-old made a promising first start over hurdles for Rebecca Curtis at Newbury last month and he has to be strongly considered with the benefit of that run under his belt. Don McCain's Black Apache lacks any hurdling experience but his bumper form is solid and he has to be respected with the yard's runners in good from but preference is for Zazamix.
Black Apache (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Made all, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, edged right, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Mysortofman (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Abey M'Boy 6-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, chased leaders and hit 3 out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, well behind Manyriverstocross (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Black Jack Blues (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Pressing leader when bumped 1st, prominent, led after 5th, headed approaching 2 out where mistake, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 21l behind Bellvano (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
De Bansha Man (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakening when not fluent 2 out, eased, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Silver Kate (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Decent Lord (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, weakened 5th, tailed off 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Thumbs Up (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Rocky Lane (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Close up, pushed along approaching 7th, weakened from 2 out, 8th of 14, 27l behind Larks Lad (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Zazamix (FR) 11-4 (11-5) Soon prominent, ridden over 4f out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Benleigh (10-12) at Ludlow 2m NH flat (5) gd in Apr.
All The Fashion (IRE) 80-1 (10-10) Mid-division, struggling 7th, tailed off, 7th of 16, well behind Love of Tara (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Irish Symphony (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 12, 38l behind Alegralil (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs.
Miss Vertical 50-1 (11-0) Raced with 1 other chasing clear leader, went 2nd over 6f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 20, 16l behind Candy Creek (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f N H flat lst (1) gd in Apr.
Utern 33-1 (10-10) In touch until pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 12, 35l behind Dot's Delight (10-5) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
