not fluent, held up, took keen hold, headway 6th, mistake and rider nearly off 4 out, lost irons briefly but quickly recovered, well beaten after
chased winner until before 2nd, stayed handy, 2nd again from 5th, no impression on winner when mistake 2 out, mistake last, kept on
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, weakened before 2 out
made all, clear 2 out, mistake last, readily
held up, not fluent 6th, headway next, 3rd from 3 out, no impression 2 out
held up in rear, pulled hard, charged round outside to chase winner before 2nd, jumped right next, lost 2nd before 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out
held up, not always fluent, weakening when mistake 7th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up after
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened before next
Knockrobin has a first start since having a wind operation and will be a major contender if the surgery improves him further as he already has some more than acceptable novice hurdle form in the book. Baby Ted represents a powerful yard and has shown promise in a couple of bumpers whilst Lad Of Luck showed notable promise when third at Huntingdon when backed into favouritism for his hurdling debut. He probably is the best long-term prospect here but BIALCO (NAP) has been performing consistently well in races of this type and came from way back the last day when an Ayr runner-up. He has some fair form in France too and can make his experience tell. Keep an eye on Cloone Lady in the market as the Irish point-to-point winner makes her debut under Rules for Kim Bailey and receives the mandatory 5lb mares allowance.
Baby Ted 13-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, challenged over 4f out until 3f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 7, 13 3/4l behind Thebannerkingrebel (11-10) at Bangor 2m 1f (5) hvy in Feb.
Bialco (FR) 5-4 (11-2) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Keyboard Gangster (11-2) at Ayr 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
El Scorpio (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leader until 4f out, chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 12, 28 1/4l behind Rebound (11-4) at Ludlow 1m 6f (4) sft in Jan.
Knockrobin (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leader until 7th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 4, 4 3/4l behind Good Man Pat (10-12) at Bangor 2m 7f (3) hvy in Feb.
Lad Of Luck (FR) 2-1fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, jumped left 1st, headway when blundered 3 out, shaken up before 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, no impression on front pair, edged left flat, 3rd of 15, 7 1/4l behind Turtle Wars (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Rob Royal (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, took keen hold, pushed along 5th, soon lost place, behind 4 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Winterlude (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Jul.
That's Life (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Behind, blundered 4 out, soon struggling, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Taxmeifyoucan (10-13) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Cloone Lady (IRE) 4-5 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, 1l 2nd 1/2way, wo with sl adv bef 2out, going best & 3l adv bef last, kow flat, won at Belharbour 3m mdn Yielding - Soft in Feb beating Rollercoster (11-6) by 3l, 9 ran.