prominent, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden and weakened from last
tracked leader, led before 3 out, ridden and headed last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, headway on inner before 3 out, led last, went slight right, kept on well
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression
led, headed before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, soon challenged, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, weakened before 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
It's hard to be confident about either All That Remains, a dual bumper winner last term, and Charlie Wingnut, runner-up last spring at Bangor on his sole bumper outing, making their respective hurdling debuts. Both have obvious claims if taking to their new discipline. Dark Shadow, a stablemate of the latter, looks one of the Henderson lesser lights and similar comments can be attributed to Donald McCain's Ebanour who may still be thereabouts if first-time blinkers have a positive effect. All of which leaves MONKEY MILAN, very green when scoring on his bumper debut at Towcester and still travelling really well when falling four out at Wetherby on his hurdling debut last time behind Weston Lodge, as the obvious selection.
All That Remains (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway before 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 13, 10l behind Fourth Estate (10-13) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Charlie Wingnut (IRE) 15-8fav (10-9) Held up mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Super Duty (11-1) at Bangor 2m 1f Conditional Nat Hunt Flat Race (4-6yo) (5) gd in Apr.
Dark Shadow 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, weakened from 3 out, in 3rd and held when fell 2 out, in a race won by Forgotten Gold (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f hdl (3) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
Ebanour (IRE) 85-40 (11-0) Tracked winner, challenged 8th, led briefly after next, ridden approaching 3 out, 1 1/2 lengths down when dived at last, no impression flat, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Allow Me (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Monkey Milan (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up mid-division, 7th when hampered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Weston Lodge (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Numbercruncher (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway on outside 8th, mistake next, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Miss Kalifa (10-5) at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Toujours L'attaque (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Not fluent, always behind, tailed off, 10th of 15, 28l behind Sole Survivor (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Tycoons Reflection (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up behind, effort and hit 3 out, soon outpaced, 6th of 9, 38l behind Simonsig (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Young Jim (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Pulled hard in mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 3rd, weakened 6th, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Knock A Hand (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Azebra 100-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, weakened before 5f out, 11th of 15, well behind Bar De Ligne (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
