tracked leaders, went 2nd after 6th, hit 3 out, weakened from next
held up behind, slightly hampered 2nd, weakened after 4th, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 6th, ridden and no impression from 3 out
with leaderm ridden after 5th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, blundered 2nd, behind when mistake 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place from next
held up in touch, headway approaching 6th, led on bit 2 out soon clear, jumped right and hit last, easily
prominent and keen, mistake 1st, behind from 3rd, struggling when jumped right and blundered 4th, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader until after 6th, weakened next
chased leaders, hit 4 out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no chance with winner
Copper Bay, Temple Place and Whosethatfor are all shortlisted in the novices¿ hurdle but our choice is the, Venetia Williams-trained Border Castle. He stepped up to handicap-company last time and was a good fourth in a competitive race. This is easier and his Haydock win in soft ground last December marks him out as a major player in this race. Copper bay has run creditably over hurdles but has always travelled a little too keenly. Alan King has his horses in fine form at present but he may have to settle for minor honours again. Whosethatfor made a pleasing debut over hurdles at Exeter when chasing home Inaro, he should go close again. Temple Place was a fair handicapper on the flat and even ran in last years Irish Champion Stakes. He was beaten a distance at 500/1 that day but he should finish a bit closer today. His hurdling form is consistent but he may find one to good here and in our opinion that one should be Border Castle.
Border Castle 4-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway and hit 6th, ridden 3 out, staying on when hit last, 4th of 13, 9l behind Rojabaa (10-6) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Elverys (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up, hit 3rd, headway after 7th, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 16, 14l behind Aces Four (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Freddie Ed 50-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 6th, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Lord Ryeford (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Habanero 25-1 (11-5) Led 2nd to after 3rd, weakened 6th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Rosecliff (10-7) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Jan, 16 ran.
Moorlaw (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) In touch, 5th when fell 5 out in race won by Launde (11-2) at Leicester 2m mdn chs (4) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Temple Place (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, smooth headway approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 15, 4l behind The Duke's Speech (11-9) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Whosethatfor (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Led, edged left and headed 3 out, soon ridden, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Inaro (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Copper Bay (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) With leaders, led approaching 2nd, headed next, outpaced approaching 2 out, 4th of 14, 10l behind Jack The Giant (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
