led, headed before 3 out, outpaced next, left in 2nd last, ridden and stayed on to lead again flat
raced keenly, tracked winner, led before 3 out, led and clear last, ridden and headed flat, no extra
in touch, ridden and outpaced from 3 out
raced keenly, held up, always towards rear
raced keenly in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next
raced keenly, held up, lost place 4th, soon behind
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, rallied to challenge and every chance when fell last
held up, struggling halfway, never dangerous
held up, not fluent, behind from halfway
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon outpaced, stayed on well from last, no impression
mid-division, ridden and effort 3 out, left in 3rd last, no impression
always behind, tailed off 3 out
Kealshore Boy can come out on top in this novices' hurdle, with New Lodge and Montana Slim the others to consider. This 4-year-old from the howard Johnson yard showed some solid form in bumpers last season and he is sure to have been well-schooled for this his hurdling debut. He should prove hard to beat granted a fluent round of hurdling. New Lodge showed fair form in bumpers last season and he is afforded respect on his hurdling bow. However, he did look a little one-paced at times last season and he will need to improve on what he has shown so far to make his mark here. Montana Slim does have the benefit of race fitness on his side and he has also showed he can hurdle so he is a definite contender. Silver Steel will probably be better on a softer surface and is overlooked today. All of which returns us to Kealshore Boy who can make a winning debut over hurdles.
Montana Slim (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Quicuyo (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
All For The Cause (IRE) 4-5fav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 5f out, challenged 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to lead near finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in May beating That'll Do Nicely (10-12) by a shd, 12 ran.
Carrick Dhu (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 14, 25l behind Silver By Nature (11-4) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gs in Apr.
Cassius (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, keen early, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 6th of 18, 8l behind Alderseed (11-1) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gd in May.
Duke of Malfi 16-1 (10-8) Held up in mid-division, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 12, well behind Kealshore Boy (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) hvy in Feb.
Hall of Flame (IRE) Saddlers' Hall gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Marble Man.
Jazrawy 6-1 (9-2) Tracked winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 10, 11l behind Mahmjra (8-3) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Mar (Flat).
Kealshore Boy 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 5f out until 2f out, kept on well, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Theatrical Moment (11-5) at Aintree 2m nhf (2) gd in May.
New Lodge 7-4fav (10-9) Held up in touch, headway half way, challenged over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Lambrini Leader (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in May.
Nicky Tam (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked winners, headway and every chance over 4f out, ridden and gradually weakened, 5th of 8, 30l behind Berwick Law (11-9) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) hvy in Mar.
P'Tit Vouster (FR) Grand Tresor gelding out of an unraced mare.
Peters Star (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway halfway, ridden and weakened 4f out, 13th of 18, 44l behind Silly Wupple (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in Oct.
Sammy Spiderman 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 5f out, 15th of 18, well behind Silly Wupple (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in Oct.
Silver Steel (FR) 7-4fav (10-13) In touch, effort over 3f out, soon outpaced, 4th of 14, 23l behind Silver By Nature (11-4) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gs in Apr.
Top Seed (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, always behind, 10th of 11, 12l behind Broughtons Folly (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Jul (Flat).
Prioryjo 100-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 13, 38l behind It's A Discovery (10-12) at Hexham 2m mrs nhf (5) gf.
