QUIETLY was no match for the winner at Hexham on his hurdling bow but Sue Smith’s charge finished clear of the rest and improvement is expected. Fairlee Grey was leading at Towcester when falling at the last on his hurdling debut in 2015 but hasn’t raced since. Pinch Of Ginger is an Irish point-to-point winner having his first start under Rules for Donald McCain and Green Light and Brandon Castle debut in this code with the former rated much higher on the Flat having won a Class 2 handicap at Epsom in June - he could figure for Brian Ellison.
Brandon Castle 7-1 (9-12) Steadied start, held up towards rear, some late headway, never on terms, 7th of 13, 3l behind Zenafire (9-7) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Charmant (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Led, headed over 3f out, one pace in 3rd from over 2f out, 3rd of 8, 24 1/4l behind Dubai Angel (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f (6) sft in Oct.
Fairlee Grey 11-4 (11-0) Took keen hold tracking leaders, challenged on bit and not fluent 3 out, led going well before next, soon clear, ridden between last 2, 6 lengths ahead but tiring when fell last, at Towcester 2m 3f mdn (5) gs in May.
Green Light 25-1 (9-0) Held up, towards rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 4 1/2l behind What About Carlo (9-5) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
It's A Long Story (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along and weakened after 3 out, 10th of 16, dist behind Kelka (10-7) at Hexham 2m mdn (5) sft in Nov.
King Of Fashion (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders and keen, went 2nd from before 5th, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 8, 28l behind Altruism (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gs in Aug.
Pinch Of Ginger (IRE) 4-5 (12-1) Ld/disp till 5l 2nd apr 6th, slw jmp 6th, clsr 2nd 5out, jnd ldr 2out, qcknd 2l clr apr last, in comand run-in, won at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m mdn hvy in Apr beating Oscar Contender (12-1) by 5l, 4 ran.
Quietly (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 3rd, not fluent next, headed 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 17l behind Kelka (10-7) at Hexham 2m mdn (5) sft in Nov.
