led, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, weakened approaching last
took keen hold in touch, behind from 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 2f out
held up, headway and mistake 5th, ridden after 3f out, one pace flat
tracked leader until after 6th, mistake 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened next
held up, reminders after 5th, headway next, led 2f out, ridden out
held up, stayed on approaching last, never near leaders
always prominent, led briefly and not fluent 2f out, stayed on same pace flat
It's Blue Chip has justifiably been raised 5lbs for his defeat of Nuit Sombre in a novices' hurdle at Fontwell last month and is preferred to a another handicap newcomer Crackleando and Bogus Dreams. The last mentioned has gone up 18lbs for his win at Ayr last month which looks harsh in the extreme and Len Lugo's gelding may be best watched at present. Top weight Castleshane is gradually coming down the handicap but needs some more help before he returns to a winning mark and of more interest may be Heather Dalton's Broke Road, who disappointed at Stratford last time but holds solid claims on earlier form. Top Achiever receives weight all round and is another to consider but the vote goes to It's Blue Chip. Henrietta Knight's gelding made a winning start to his hurdling career when winning a novice race at Plumpton and bounced back from a below par effort at Stratford when landing the honours at Fontwell last month. The four-year-old would look to be well treated on his best and gets the vote to make a winning start to his handicap career.
Castleshane (IRE) 50-1 In touch, chased leader 5th until after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 23rd of 30, 38l behind Fontanesi at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Broke Road (IRE) 4-1fav In touch, ridden and weakened 4 out, 12th of 15, well behind Baron De Feypo at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Mar.
My Last Bean (IRE) 50-1 Held up, ridden and staying on from three out, no chance with leaders, 4th of 11, 14l behind Pardishar at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs.
Crackleando 10-11fav In touch, headway to chase winner after 3 out, no impression when jumped right last, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Middleham Park at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd in Mar.
Bogus Dreams (IRE) 7-2fav In touch, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, led 3 out, clear from next, easily, won at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Mar beating Diamond Mick by 18l, 14 ran.
Sachsenwalzer (GER) 12-1 Took keen hold, tracked leader, weakened 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Dabus at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Top Achiever (IRE) 16-1 In touch, headway to join leaders 6th, ridden to lead briefly after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, 6l behind Conroy at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gf.
