held up towards rear, mistake 5th, soon struggling
in rear, not fluent 2nd, struggling 4th
not fluent, held up in touch, weakened after 5th
raced keenly, chased winner, not fluent 1st, lost 2nd next, remained prominent, went 3rd after 5th, hung left and no impression after 2 out, blundered last
mid-division, headay to go 4th before 3 out, no impression
made all, not fluent 1st, 5 lengths ahead 2 out, hard driven and pressed after last, held on well
tracked leaders, chased winner when hit 5th, 5 lengths down 2out, closed when not fluent last, challenged flat, held towards finish
pulled hard, headway to chase winner 2nd, jumped left and bumped 5th, soon beaten
The former German Group horse Akiem is an interesting contender however AP McCoy takes the ride on THE JIGSAW MAN and it is Rebecca Curtis' runner who gets the vote ahead of Reland and Crystal Rock. The selection was a comfortable winner at Stratford in September following a previous win at the track in June. The betting suggested that a loss was out of the question on both occasions and if he is supported in the betting today on his hurdling debut then it may pay to take note. Reland ran well on his hurdling bow at Perth last month and with the stable in good form a big run is expected at a track his trainer loves to win at. Phidippides was well-fancied at Kempton on his bumper debut in January but was beaten behind General Miller; he looks to have ability and must be of interest (although it may be over marathon distances in the future). Also of interest is the 80-rated flat horse Crystal Rock who has a first run for Nicky Henderson this afternoon; his trainer knows how to ready a horse for his first start over timber. Of those to have raced a few times over hurdles William Hogarth makes slightly more appeal than Zen Factor, however unless the market suggests otherwise it might be wise in this tricky puzzle to side with The Jigsaw Man.
Akiem (IRE) (9-0) 5th of 3, 4l behind Ostland (9-0) at Cologne(GER) 1m 3f Grp 3 gd in Apr (flat).
Boo 9-2 (11-1) Chased clear winner, not fluent 4th, lost 2nd before 6th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Sargentos (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar, 10 ran.
Crystal Rock (IRE) 17-2 (8-4) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, driven and weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 14l behind Bandama (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcap (2) gd in Oct '08 (flat).
Points of View 7-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in rear, mistake 2 out, some late headway, never nearer, 6th of 12, 21l behind Seventh Cavalry (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Reland (FR) 15-8fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden and every chance, not fluent last, one pace, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Mesbaah (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
The Jigsaw Man (IRE) 2-5fav (11-2) Made all, clear 2f out, easily, won at Stratford 2m NH flat (5) gf in Sep beating Benbens (10-7) by 10l, 11 ran.
Wannarock (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Towards rear, hit 3 out, soon weakened, hit next, 9th of 14, 34l behind Carrolls Cross (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
William Hogarth 9-1 (10-9) Led until approaching 2 out, soon hard ridden, not pace of winner, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Press The Button (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Zen Factor 7-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, led 2nd and soon clear, ran wide on bend soon after, reduced lead before headed 3 out, lost 2nd before next and soon weakened under pressure, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Dantari (11-4) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Phidippides (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Prominent, led over 3f out, ridden when headed and hung right 2f out, no extra final furlong, lost 2nd final stride, 3rd of 13, 2l behind General Miller (10-7) at Kempton 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
