towards rear, effort after 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression from next
led, keen, headed approaching 2nd, ridden to lead again approaching 2 out, hard riden from last, kept on
tracked leaders, jumped left 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last
mistake, always towards rear
always towards rear, struggling after 3rd
mid-division, weakened 3 out, behind when fell 2 out
in rear, keen, tailed off after 3rd, pulled up after 3 out
towards rear, hit 5th, soon tailed off
with leader, keen, led approaching 4th, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, stayed on from last
held up mid-division, smooth headway approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, no extra run-in
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened quickly 2 out, blundered last
with leaders, led approaching 2nd, hit next, headed approaching 4th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on from next
always behind, struggling before halfway
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before last
Industrial Star, The Duke's Speech and Zeitgeist look the three to concentrate on in this novices' hurdle and the vote is given to The Duke's Speech. The selection won well last time out when beating Le Millenaire and although he has a penalty for that success he has progressed with each run and he is taken to win again. Industrial Star rates the main danger as he also won well last time out when beating Balyan, but that horse has since let the form down and at the likely odds he looks worth taking on. Zeitgeist is another that could go well on his latest third behind Major Catch but he has given the impression in the past that he would be seen to better effect once stepped up in trip and as he will be handicapped after this run so he looks worth opposing. Planters Punch is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks vulnerable to a less-exposed type. Kyathos was a fair sort on the flat in his native Germany and should be monitored in the market but in a tight affair for the winner we return to The Duke's Speech.
Dubonai (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway to challenge after 3 out, 4th and every chance when fell 2 out in race won by Texas Holdem (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jan, 15 ran.
Planters Punch (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) In touch, headway approaching 3 out, ridden next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 17l behind Nikola (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 1-2fav (11-5) Made all, clear when blundered 2 out, hit next, easily, won at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Le Millenaire (11-5) by 11l, 10 ran.
Zeitgeist (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, headway, mistake 7th, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, soon one pace, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Major Catch (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Boxclever 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, reminders and weakened halfway, virtually pulled up, last of 14, well behind Agent Lois (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Nov.
Hurricane Francis 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 28l behind Star Shot (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) sft in Jun.
Kyathos (GER) (9-2) Made most, kept on under pressure, won at Dortmund 1m stk std in Jan beating Flying Sensation (8-11) by a nk, 8 ran (Flat).
Lion's Domane 40-1 (8-9) Always behind, last of 14, 36l behind Gem Bien (9-0) at Southwell 7f banded stk (H5) fbs (Flat).
Megaton 4-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 5th, soon led, headed approaching 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 13, 16l behind Anemix (10-11) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Silver Dollars (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 13th of 20, well behind Up Above (11-2) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Temple Place (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 3 out, every chance after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 22l behind Anemix (10-11) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Eborarry (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 9th of 10, 35l behind Billyandi (11-2) at Haydock 2m nov hcp hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Gidam Gidam (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, no impression when blundered last, 4th of 7, 23l behind Premier Dane (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gf in Feb.
Countrywide Dancer (IRE) 100-1 (9-1) Chased leaders far side, weakened 3f out, 10th of 20, 24l behind Bailieborough (9-11) at Newcastle 1m clm (6) gf in Aug (Flat).
Minnesinger 33-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, kept on from 2 out, 4th of 15, 9l behind Lerida (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Industrial Star (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 3 out, led last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jan beating Balyan (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
