made all, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well to go clear from last, eased towards finish
tracked winner, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from last
tracked leaders and keen, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on to chase winner from last, always held
tracked leaders and keen, outpaced after 3 out
Gary Moore's Herschel justified short odds when making a winning hurdling debut at Market Rasen in June and comes here fit from the flat so has to be considered but he will need to improve to get the better of INVENTOR, who gets the vote with Like A Hurricane looking the pick of the remainder. The selection has earned a rating of 136 following a good win in a novices' hurdle at Musselburgh in January and a decent third in better company at Aintree earlier this month and a reproduction of the form shown that day will make Don McCain's gelding hard to beat. Robin Dickin's Playing With Fire has struggled since winning back-to-back races at Leicester and over course and distance in January and February and of more interest may be Alan King's Like A Hurricane, who stayed on well when making a winning start to his hurdling career at Fontwell last month. This represents a step up in class for the seven-year-old though and preference is for Inventor, who is likely to have too much class for his rivals.
Inventor (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Towards rear, mistake 4 out, headway next, ridden to chase leading pair approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 11l behind General Miller (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd.
Like A Hurricane (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, slightly hampered 1st, closing when not clear run briefly on inside after 3 out, led between last 2, headed last, stayed on under pressure to regain lead towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar beating Horseshoe Reef (11-2) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Playing With Fire (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Jumped right, led until after 4th, weakened after 7th, pulled up before last, in a race won by Ryde Back (10-5) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hcp hdl Listed (1) sft in Mar, 18 ran.
Herschel (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) In touch, went 2nd 3 out, led before next, 4 lengths clear last, ridden and held on flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Strikemaster (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
