tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 11th to 12th, weakened 14th, tailed off
tracked leaders, blundered 6th, stayed on one pace from 4 out
jumped left, pressed leader, led approaching 4th, headed before 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 9th, blundered 12th, outpaced next, stayed on approaching last
held up, mistakes 1st and 3rd, headway 13th, chased winner 3 out, no impression, jumped right 2 out
led until approaching 4th, remained prominent, led approaching 4 out, soon in command, jumped right and not fluent 3 out, jumped right 2 out, stayed on well
in rear, not fluent 4th, lost touch 12th, pulled up soon after
took keen hold in rear, jumped left and mistake 1st, mistake 3rd, not fluent 8th (water), lost touch 14th, tailed off
Inchidaly Rock may emerge as the winner here, but with quite a number of Paul Nicholls' runners needing their first outing this season you wouldn't want to be taking too short-a-price about him first time over fences and we will suggest GILES CROSS as a more attractively-priced alternative. Victor Dartnall's gelding is rated exactly the same as the Nicholls runner over hurdles, although was pulled up in the same race that Inchidaly Rock was runner-up in at Aintree in April. There are no problems with the form of either stable now, though that is not to say that Inchidaly Rock is any nailed-on certainty first time back. Both horses act on the ground and stay very well, and look good recruits to the novices ranks this time. Hey Big Spender won a soft ground Chepstow maiden hurdle when rated 120 in February but either the step up in trip, or most probably grade, saw him finish well behind when last seen in the spring at Aintree. Even so, the yard is in very good form and fences may be just what he needs. Heathcliff won a Warwick handicap hurdle in the mud by 27 lengths but has been crushed by the handicapper since then and probably has a bit to find with the other trio, though he is not written off. Cashel Blue and Connak both represent the Alners, and both relish this trip and ground. The latter has a long absence to overcome and both have over a stone to find on hurdles form, but they are well worth noting for future days. A fascinating novices' contest and Giles Cross is proferred as the selection.
Cashel Blue (USA) 16-1 (11-5) Made all, ridden clear after 4 out, just held on, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar beating Magnifico (10-9) by hd, 16 ran.
Connak (IRE) 2-1fav (11-3) Held up, headway after 6th, narrow leader 3 out, soon clear, won at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar '08 beating Buck The Legend (11-0) by 18l, 16 ran.
Giles Cross (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Time For Rupert (10-10) at Aintree 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr, 21 ran.
Heathcliff (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, no impression on leaders, 9th of 24, 26l behind Made In Japan (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, raced keenly, weakened after 10th, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Ogee (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Inchidaly Rock (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, challenged last, every chance flat, held near finish, 2nd of 21, hd behind Time For Rupert (10-10) at Aintree 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Pine Native (IRE) 250-1 (11-6) Led to mistake 6th, weakened after, 13th of 14, well behind Chariot Charger (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Wadswick Ben 28-1 (10-7) Held up, mistake 4th, some headway after 3 out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 11, 31l behind Theophrastus (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
