tracked leaders in 3rd, led 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well
close up, with leader 5th, led approaching 3 out headed 2 out, hit last no extra
fell 1st
held up, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous
chased leader until lost place approaching
held up mid-division, weakned from 7th
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden appraoching 3 out, never dangerous
held up, kept on from 3 out no impression
held up and keen, weakened from 4 out
led, hit 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakend
held up, in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from last
The penalised pair, BOBBY EWING and Menorah, may be the two to concentrate on but Madame Mado, Hong Kong Harry, Papa Caruso and Laureldean River have all shown promise. Token preference is for the Million In Mind owned Bobby Ewing who made a good impression when making a winning start to his career under Rules at Uttoxeter. The Irish Point winner came up short in a Grade 2 contest at Cheltenham on his second start under testing conditions but should fare better here. Menorah was an impressive winner of a Naas bumper but had to work much harder to land a Warwick novice hurdle on debut for this yard. The second would have scored at Leicester on Wednesday but for a fall at the final flight and the first two at Warwick had pulled a long way clear of the field. Hong Kong Harry was in the process of running a good race at Ludlow but this is a hotter race so he may have to settle for a minor role. Papa Caruso is bred to get a trip and should be all the better for his initial run over hurdles behind a hotpot over two miles. Laureldean River won a point in the spring and made a winning start to his Rules career at Uttoxeter and should make his mark in this sphere in due course whilst Madame Mado finished third in a Listed bumper in November and has to be feared with the yard going well. They appear to be the principal contenders in a competitive opener which may go the way of Bobby Ewing.
Bobby Ewing (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, headway when hit 3 out, disputing 2nd after 2 out, weakening when jumped left last, 4th of 9, 19l behind Tell Massini (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Menorah (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, slight advantage when blundered last, pushed along and kept on well run-in, won at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Ranjobaie (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Battle Group 11-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, unseated on flat after 4 out, in a race won by Washington Irving (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 12 ran.
Cheapside (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, some headway 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Aohna (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Gunpoint (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) With leader until ridden and weakened halfway, 9th of 10, well behind Carters Rest (10-11) at Ayr 2m NH flat (4) gd in Apr.
Hong Kong Harry 5-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 8th, every chance when fell 3 out, in a race won by Phidippides (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f hdl (3) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
Jack The Gent (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, chased leaders approaching 3 out, no impression from 2 out, 4th of 14, 10l behind Lightening Rod (10-9) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Laureldean River (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Pressed leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 5l behind Basford Bob (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Nov.
Papa Caruso 20-1 (11-0) In touch, headway 4 out, led briefly next, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 16, 16l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-0) at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) gs in Nov.
Wham Bang 200-1 (10-12) Not fluent, held up, never in contention, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Sonowyouno (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
What's Occurrin 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, mistake 4 out, weakened next, fell last, in a race won by Calusa Crystal (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Home She Goes (IRE) 125-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 12, 38l behind Alegralil (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs.
Madame Mado (FR) 4-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out went 3rd over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Shinrock Paddy (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m Listed NH flat (1) sft in Nov '08.
Middleham Meg 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, never on terms, 9th of 12, well behind Alegralil (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs.
