led, headed after 4 out, led again next, ridden 2 out, headed when blundered and unseated rider last
in touch, blundered 4 out, soon led, headed next, ridden 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
held up and behind, mistake 4 out, never on terms
held up and behind, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, never nearer
always behind, tailed off from 3 out
held up mid-division, smooth headway 4 out, led on bit approaching last, easily
behind, mistake 4th, lost touch 4 out, soon tailed off
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, lost place next, soon weakened
always behind
always behind
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, no impression from next
behind from halfway
chased leaders, hit 4 out, ridden and hung left after 2 out, blundered last, no extra flat
chased leaders, ridden and weakening when hit 3 out
mid-division, some headway after 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
never better than mid-division
A distinct lack of experience here and for those who have it there is still a bit to prove, so we will take a chance on Flownaway, with Dr Sharp and Merryvale Man as the other chief contenders. Flownaway would ideally prefer quicker ground than this and also has to prove that he is over his hurdling greenness in this contest. Only his only start over timber at Musselburgh in January he was sent off 1-2 favourite but jumped right most of the way. Having said that his Flat speed had him in front three out, and he was cruising clear when falling at the second-last. A three month break will have given connections chance to get plenty of schooling into him and he can now take this. Dr Sharp has done things the other way around, landing a heavy ground Kelso hurdle in February but then unseating on both his subsequent starts. Provided he puts in a clear round he can chase home the selection, but clearly that is far from certain. Merryvale Man gives weight away all around after an easy heavy ground Newcastle win from Bob The Piler last time out. Conditions won't be nearly as testing for it to slow the others down here and with that penalty he looks like having an almighty task with Flownaway, who is the choice to break his hurdling duck.
