chased leaders, blundered badly 2nd, soon lost place, headway 7th, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace last, no threat
mid-division, pushed along before 7th in rear, weakened before next, pulled up before 2 out
led, jumped left on occasions, clear 2nd until 6th, soon given reminders, headed next, weakened approaching 8th, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 6th, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last
chased leader who went clear 2nd until 6th, led 7th until 3 out, beaten last, no extra
brought down 1st
held up in rear, headway approaching 3rd, not fluent 5th, mistake 7th, every chance 3 out, no extra flat
held up in rear, jumped left 2nd, mistake 6th, struggling before 8th
fell 1st
chased leaders, pushed along and lost place approaching 7th, rallied before next, led 3 out, stayed on well to draw clear flat
A real test of stamina for the hurdlers here and CULLAHILL can provide the answer, while Orion Express and Dr Hart are others short-listed. The selection returns after a lengthy lay-off, and the market might provide us with further clues either way as to his chance, but without that knowledge we can consider only the facts. Those are that Bob Buckler's eight-year-old stays well and acts best on a sound surface. He gets both of those in his favour today, and it is positive that connections have persevered with him after an absence of well over a year. A 5lb drop since his last run looks a positive from a punting perspective and we will take a chance on his fitness and side with him. Orion Express has a course and distance win to his name and is another with conditions to suit. He should go much better today than when the ground has been against him in recent runs and he is much respected. Dr Hart is another that relishes a stiff test and scored at Sandown last time over a similar trip. Raised 6lbs for that, he does give the impression that he is a spring horse and could go close. Estates Recovery has to race from 2lbs out of the handicap, but with a feather racing weight of 10st to carry, and the promise of more to come over this longer trip, plus good ground in his favour, a win is not out of the question. Even so, we'll take Cullahill to score.
Silverburn (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Prominent on outside early, held up, slightly hampered 6th, behind 8th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Bella Haze (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Mar, 12 ran.
Cullahill (IRE) 3-1fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 9, 8l behind Little Shilling (10-8) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Dec '08.
Ashley Brook (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Led until blundered 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Bertie May (10-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Orchard King (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Led 2nd, headed after 4th, led again next, headed 4 out, soon under pressure and weakened, 3rd of 8, 39l behind Isle de Maurice (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f sell hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Right Option (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, reminders after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Bella Haze (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Mar, 12 ran.
Thedeboftheyear 11-1 (10-9) In touch in main group, hampered 4th, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 23l behind Marodima (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Very Cool 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, led 3 out until 2 out, weakening when not fluent last, 4th of 14, 23l behind Lord Crewe (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Orion Express 66-1 (11-5) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 13th of 16, well behind The Disengager (10-6) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Dr Hart (IRE) 10-3fav (10-6) Mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden headway 2 out, driven to lead final strides, won at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar beating Pocket Too (10-1) by shd, 13 ran.
Estates Recovery (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, driven along and outpaced after 3 out, rallied from next, went 3rd before last, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Sir Harry Cool (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
