whipped around start, refused to race
took keen hold, held up, effort 3 out, weakened next
keen, led 1st until ran out after 2nd on bend
held up and keen, headway to take closer order 3rd, weakened 2 out
always prominent, effort approaching 2 out, led run-in, kept on
held up, effort and some headway approaching 2 out, never on terms
held up, headway 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led to 1st, chased leader, left in lead approaching 3rd, ridden 2 out, edged right and headed run-in, kept on towards finish
chased leaders, weakened at 3 out
always behind, blundered 2nd, tailed off after 3rd
This is far more open than the first division of this contest, but the suggestion is another Howard Johnson representative in Bohemian Brook, while Random Native, Baffling Secret and Lord Baskerville can all get involved. The selection took his time to get into things on debut at Sedgefield, but stayed on in eyecatching fashion from the rear to be nearest at the finish, albeit it well beaten. He should come on plenty for that, he handles the ground and he looks worth a small wager here. Random Native showed some decent bumper form a couple of seasons ago, but has clearly had some problems since. He would probably prefer better ground, though being by Be My Native he could act on a bottomless surface. He is interesting on his first start for the in-form Nicky Richards. Baffling Secret is one of the more experienced contenders in the line-up, with four bumper runs to his name, and he should be capable of building on those starts with this his debut over hurdles. Market confidence would probably be significant. Of the others, Lord Baskerville is a maiden both under rules and on the level after plenty of chances. He would probably prefer better ground, and although he has the ability to make the frame again, it's hard to see him winning. Instead, our suggestion here is Bohemian Brook.
Baffling Secret (FR) 6-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway 6f out, effort over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, nk behind Witch Wind (10-11) at Newcastle 2m nhf (H) sft in Jan.
Bohemian Brook (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, driven and kept on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 13, 25l behind Charlie Tango (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft.
Boris The Spider 100-1 (11-0) Prominent, led approaching 5th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 17, 49l behind Rasharrow (11-5) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (D) sft.
Lord Baskerville 12-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, led after first, headed fourth, led again next, headed 2 out, ridden and weakened last, 4th of 9, 18l behind Best Profile (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy in Oct.
Mr Tim (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (11-2) Close up, blundered 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 7th of 15, 15l behind Downing Street (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gd in May.
Planters Punch (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 19, well behind Habitual Dancer (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Random Native (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Chased clear leader, left in lead 5th, headed approaching 3 out, ridden and soon weakened, 5th of 8, 30l behind Von Origny (10-8) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Apr.
Winapenny (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 21, 20l behind Nous Voila (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (D) gs.
