led, hit 9th, quickened after 3 out, good jump 2 out, ridden, hung right and bumped rival before last, edged left and headed flat, stayed on, just held
pressed leader, not fluent 4th or 5th, ridden after 3 out, lost place before next, soon weakened
chased leaders until pulled up after 7th
chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, close 3rd last, switched right and not pace to challenge flat
held up in last, headway 9th, not much room and lost ground after 3 out, rallied 2 out, bumped when trying to challenge before last, edged left and led flat, stayed on
Alain Cawley was able to set a slow pace on Lalochezia in a 2m6f maiden hurdle at Kelso and had a bit in hand when Firth Of Forth challenged at the last. The runner-up is only 1lb better off though a quicker tempo is more likely to suit. Moon King is a front-runner who should set a strong gallop and he's back on a fair mark after racing in slightly better class, especially with Lilly Pinchin's claim to aid his cause. Winning bumper FLEXI FURLOUGH had been threatening to score over hurdles for some time and finally broke his duck in some style at Doncaster so a 5lb rise may not prevent a follow up. Spike Jones has only shown moderate form over hurdles since landing a Fontwell bumper in October.
Moon King (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Led early, chased leader, led normal 4 out, headed bypassing omitted last, faded, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Sultans Pride (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Lalochezia (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Made all, not fluent 9th, hard pressed 2 out until last, drew clear flat, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m 7f mdn (4) gd in Feb beating Firth Of Forth (11-6) by 4 1/4l, 5 ran.
Firth Of Forth (IRE) 5-4fav (11-6) Held up in touch, closed to challenge 2 out, ridden and every chance when not fluent last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Lalochezia (11-6) at Kelso 2m 7f mdn (4) gd in Feb.
Flexi Furlough (IRE) 10-3fav (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden and headway before 3 out, close up 2 out where hampered by loose horse, led before last where hampered again, stayed on strongly flat, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Jan beating Steinkraus (11-9) by 6l, 12 ran.
Spike Jones 18-5 (11-12) Raced keenly, held up behind leaders, closed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra in 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 16 1/2l behind C'Est Quelqu'un (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
