keen in mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden to challenge 3 out, kept on same pace from next
led until 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway, effort approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
keen in touch, led approaching 3rd, ridden, headed soon after last, no extra
jumped slowly 1st, always towards rear, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, led soon after last, ran on, pushed out
held up in rear, pulled up approaching 3rd, dismounted
A very moderate maiden hurdle can go the way of In The Lead, ahead of Count Kristo and Soulard, with Finished Article and newcomer Zero and also worth the smallest of mentions. In The Lead has by far the best credentials on on show here, having been placed on each of her three runs over hurdles since joining Philip Hobbs, and the ex-John Dunlop mare should have little difficulty in opening her account, although a step up in trip would not go amiss. Count Kristo was successful on fast ground on the level at Nottingham last May when trained by Clive Cox, and had his ground for the first time when second at Plumpton just over a fortnight ago. In truth, he did not look in love with the game, and at one point even tried to run out, and his jockey will need to show him who is boss. Soulard takes a drop in class, but was beaten out of sight at Cheltenham last time, so is there to be opposed, while Zero lacks experience. Finished Article showed a glimmer of ability when fourth at Sedgefield but would prefer further, and all in all, In The Lead has the best claims.
Count Kristo 4-1 (11-0) Led, tried to run out 4 out, strongly pressed next, ridden and headed 2 out, held soon after, one pace, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Classic Role (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Execute (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) pulled up in race won by Siobhans Quinner (11-9) at Catsfield 3m ptp gd in Apr '04, 11 ran.
Finished Article (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Mid-division, mistake 5th, outpaced when hit 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression, 4th of 14, 30l behind The Shy Man (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Kenwyn 16-1 (9-11) Held up mid-division, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 7th of 15, 6l behind Pocket Too (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Synisterdexter 14-1 (11-4) Led, headed over 6f out and weakened, 7th of 9, well behind Brother Oscar (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Soulard (USA) 16-1 (11-0) Pressed leaders, hit 5th, led 3 out, headed next, weakened quickly, 8th of 13, well behind Laustra Bad (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Zero (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden and edged slightly left, ran on well, readily, won at Warwick 1m 3f mdn stk (5) gf in Jul beating Kibara (8-9) by 2l, 10 ran (Flat).
In The Lead (USA) 9-2 (9-12) Pulled hard, held up, jumped right first, headway after 3rd, challenged 2 out, ridden still every chance flat, ran on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Kanad (11-5) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
