in touch, hampered 3 out, ridden next, no chance when hampered on bend before last, went moderate 2nd last
close up, ridden and lost place 4th
tracked leaders, chased leader 6th, joined leader next when bludered and unseated rider
keen and led, headed briefly between 3rd and 4th, ridden 3 out, hit next soon headed, hampered by loose horse bend before last, weakened last
in rear, ridden 3 out, kept on to go moderate 3rd flat
keen in rear, progress to mid-division 3rd, left 2nd 3 out, led soon after 2 out, clear last, comfortably
tracked leader, led briefly between 3rd and 4th, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
in rear, behind from 4th
The dead eight go to post for the opener on the card, a selling handicap hurdle and several of them have chances including the consistent Safe Investment and the lightly raced Bromhead but it is MONTIYRA that looks the one to beat. Lynn Siddall's gelding has shown improved form in his last two starts being placed in races here and latterly at Newcastle and he has an obvious chance off the same mark as at Newcastle. Safe Investment has been running well but keeps on finding at least one too good and he looks booked for a place at best again. Lady Florence has yet to win over hurdles and looks best watched with a bigger threat likely to come from Declan Carroll's Anduril, who has also yet to win over timber but has run some reasonable races over hurdles and he should be thereabouts. Bromhead has only had the three starts over hurdles and Kevin Morgan's gelding has to be considered on his handicap debut but Montiyra has an obvious chance and looks the one that they all have to beat.
Montiyra (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) In touch and keen,challenged 2 out, chased winner after last until no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Hi Dancer (11-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Safe Investment (USA) 12-1 (11-6) Held up, struggling from 5th, behind from 4 out, 5th of 10, 47l behind Nous Voila (11-3) at Fakenham 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb.
Lady Florence 9-2fav (11-5) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 10, 13l behind Calzaghe (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Nov.
Chiff Chaff 9-4fav (11-4) Mid-division, under pressure when not fluent 2 out, soon behind pulled up last, in a race won by Ban Uisce (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-85 (5) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Anduril 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, kept on towards finish, just held for 2nd, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Along The Nile (11-1) at Catterick 2m sell hdl (5) gd.
Bromhead (USA) 40-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 4th before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 22l behind Calzaghe (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) hvy in Feb.
Igneous 12-1 (10-3) In rear, hit 2nd, wide and headway 3rd, weakened 4 out pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Nous Voila (11-3) at Fakenham 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
Colemanstown 100-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 4 out, soon behind, 6th of 7, well behind Gamesters Lady (11-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
