keen, held up in last place, steady headway from 4 out, mistake when chased winner 2 out, kept on one pace
close up, ridden to chase winner 8th, until next, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last, dismounted
held up, some headway 6th, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
close up, ridden and weakened after 7th
keen in touch, ridden and lost place after 7th
led until 4th, remained with winner until weakened after 7th, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, hit 4th, ridden and weakened after 4 out
keen, prominent, led 4th, ridden out
held up mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden next, stayed on to take 3rd flat
keen and held up, mistake 2nd, jumped slowly 4th, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner 3 out, weakened soon after 2 out
always in rear
Bouncy Castle, The Entomologist and Noble Raider look the three to concentrate on in this novices hurdle and the narrow vote is given to Bouncy Castle. The selection won a bumper in good style last time out when beating My Condor is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and with the longer trip also likely to bring about some improvemenet he will be hard to beat. The Entomologist rates the main danger as he also won a bumper when last seen beating Linclons Inn but that was 223 days ago and the suspicion is he may just need the run. Noble Raider is another that could go well as he won well when beating Mr Aitch last time. However he has a penalty for that win and he looks vulnerable to a less exposed type. Of the remainder Elraawy was a fair sort on the flat and should be noted in the market but for the winner we retyurn to Bouncy Castle.
Noble Raider (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Behind, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, ran on strongly flat to lead towards finish, won at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Mr Aitch (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Bouncy Castle (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed briefly inside final furlong, ran on, won at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gf in Sept beating My Condor (11-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Elraawy (USA) 25-1 (9-1) Led until headed over 3f out, weakening when hampered 2f out, soon behind, 13th of 14, 18l behind Blue Torpedo (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept '05 (Flat).
Galaxia (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 8th, shaken up and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Backbord (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Istanbul (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Led and ran wide on bend after 3rd, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Fort Ord (10-10) at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) In touch and keen, weakened and lost place 7th, 10th of 12, well behind Zonic Boom (10-11) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Le Burf (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, chased winner soon after 4 out, no impression after 2 out, lost second last, weakened and lost moderate 3rd near finish, 4th of 11, 33l behind Paulo Dancer (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gs in Oct.
The Entomologist (IRE) 4-1fav (11-4) In touch, led 3f out ridden over 2f out, edge left inside final furlong, all out, won at Towcester 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Apr beating Lincoln's Inn (10-13) by a shd, 16 ran.
The Hero Sullivan (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) In touch, headway approaching 3 out to chase leaders, effort between last 2, weakened quickly approaching last, 8th of 10, 41l behind American President (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Wester Lodge (IRE) 22-1 (9-11) Towards rear, ridden when not much room 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 10l behind Zaville (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct (Flat).
Beauchamp Star 2-1jt-fav (10-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Joli Classical (10-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Chapel Wood Lady (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Rear of mid division, mistake 5th, weakened from 3 out, 12th of 15, 11l behind Cailin Alainn (10-13) at Tramore 2m mrs mdn hdl gd in Apr.
Galandora 33-1 (10-5) Prominent when fell at the 4th in race won by Glasker Mill (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gd, 16 ran.
Kara Doot 33-1 (8-9) Pulled hard, held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 7l behind Authority (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (D3) pol in Dec '04 (Flat).
