in touch, ridden 7th, soon beaten
led, headed 5th, weakening when not fluent 3 out
held up, steady headway from 6th, close up when hit 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear
held up, headway after 7th, ridden 3 out, soon held
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up, not fluent 4th, ridden and stayed on from 7th
towards rear, never a factor
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, mistake when weakening 7th
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 6th
tracked leaders, led 5th, weakening when headed approaching last
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, weakened 6th
always in rear, lost touch when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, driven and headway after 7th, weakened 3 out
always in rear
This looks to be a decent hurdle event and a narrow vote is given to Can't Buy Time, Glenary, Breedsbreeze and Zirkel could be the main dangers. This is the choice of three O'Neill entries and the other two appeared to have stronger claims. However this one did show plenty of promise on his bumper debut here last month and is certainly bred to be decent at this game. Glenary is also making his hurdles debut following two near misses in bumpers and he should play a part in the finish. Zirkel was well touted for his debut and ran well to finish runner up to 103 rated Sayago. He didn't do too badly in a better race at Cheltenham next time out and will be more at home in this company. Breedsbreeze put in two solid efforts last winter and if not in need of the run he should be in the shake up. Merlin's Magic and Tedsdale Mac are two to watch closely in the betting, but Can't Buy Time has the breeding to be a smart jumper and he gets the vote.
Agoodun 66-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 13, 13l behind Mums Chatterbox (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Oct.
American Cricket (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Led 1st and keen, headed 2nd and stayed prominent, led briefly after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 25l behind Ashwell (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in May.
Breedsbreeze (IRE) 4-5fav (11-4) Prominent, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, ridden and drifted right flat, no extra, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Chery D'or (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Can't Buy Time (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Mid-divison, headway over 6f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 16, 11l behind Run For Moor (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Cool Cliche 14-1 (10-12) In touch, lost place 3rd, rallied after 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 15, 15l behind Presenting Copper (10-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Desert Inferno (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, not fluent last, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Inherent (10-7) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
El Batal (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Always behind, 14th of 20, 31l behind One Cool Guy (11-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f nhf gd in Apr.
Glenary (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Chased leader, led 5f out, headed over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Checkerboard (10-10) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Kisha King (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, weakened after 8th, 5th of 16, well behind Nakai (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Merlin's Magic (FR) 2-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led between last 2, headed last, rallied well under pressure towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 15, shd behind Master Medic (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Smart John 25-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, last of 9, 17l behind Dig Gold (8-12) at Warwick 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug (Flat).
Tarateeno 80-1 (10-11) Always behind, 10th of 15, 34l behind Keki Buku (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) sft in Oct.
Tedsdale Mac 20-1 (8-12) Always rear division, 10th of 16, 6l behind Bridegroom (8-10) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sept '06 (Flat).
Zirkel (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Always about same place in mid-division, 7th of 17, 22l behind Snap Tie (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Casewick Mist 13-2 (10-10) Prominent until pushed along and lost place halfway, headway under pressure over 3f out, stayed on chase winner over 2f out, no impression, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Campli (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Jun '06.
