chased leaders, hit 4 out, soon ridden, weakened next
held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from next, never on terms
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on and no impression from next
held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, headway on bit approaching 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, soon weakened
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened next
led, headed 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
chased leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, headed next, weakened last
always towards rear
in touch, weakened after 6th
always towards rear, fell 6th
chased leader, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, slightly hampered 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, led next, stayed on well
always behind, hampered 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Bed Bug is selected to beat the likes of Undeniable, I Got Rhythm, and Mr Gisby in a wide-open handicap hurdle. It is with no great confidence that Bed Bug is chosen, but he has as good a chance as any based on the evidence of his three outings so far this term. Nicky Henderson's gelding is not one of the leading lights at Seven Barrows by any stretch of the imagination and seems to lack a gear. Sent off favourite on his return at Fakenham, he found the Norfolk circuit too sharp and has been outpaced on his two subsequent starts at Kempton. Back down to class E company, the long finishing straight should at least bring his stamina into play, and Bed Bug is given another chance. Undeniable has to shoulder topweight but is in with a shout after his luckless run at Southwell. Ridden to lead at the last, he blundered badly and went down by half-a-length to Tee-Jay. Paul Madden takes a massive 10lb off his back and Sue Smith's six-year-old is a major contender. I Got Rhythm is fully exposed and although likely to make a bold bid to reach the frame again, needs some respite from the handicapper. Mr Gisby will find conditions a bit livelier than at Fakenham and has more to do, and although Tony McCoy is an eye-catching booking for Storm Prince, he makes limited appeal. So, a small wager only on Bed Bug is the recommendation.
