made all, drew clear approaching last, easily
tracked leaders, jumped badly right 1st, kept on same pace from 2 out
in touch, tracked leaders from 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked winner throughout, ridden and no impression from 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, blundered 4 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened from 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out
in rear, jumped slow 2nd, reminders after 3rd, blundered 4 out, never dangerous
stumbled badly 1st, unseated rider
held up mid-division, in 6th approaching 3 out, headway to go 4th approaching last, kept on
No surprise to see a substantial entry among Welsh trainers in the opener and BLACK JACK BLUES can defy the winners penalties to see off Slip and Mohathab. The gelding is held in high regard by both trainer and jockey and having obliged at Ludlow, there could be an opportunity for further progression. Slip rated in the 80's on the flat though was disappointing on hurdling debut. A recent run at Wolverhampton should have blown away the cobwebs. Moathab was a fair miler for Jim Boyle. The booking of Richard Johnson appears a positive. Bendant has shaped with a degree of promise in bumpers and is one to watch in the market on hurdling introduction. Tin Pot Man went through the ring at a suspiciously cheap sales price. He is related to a number of winners including the useful staying hurdler, Thrashing. Whatdoyoucallit has a nice jumping pedigree though we would not be surprised to see his better performances obtaining with a little more time. Strumble Head is from a shrewd yard though has never shown a great deal at the track. Black Jack Blues is best.
Black Jack Blues (IRE) 15-8fav (11-3) Made all, clear 3 out, unchallenged, easily, won at Ludlow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Ackertac (11-3) by 8l, 15 ran.
Slip 11-8fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd after 3 out until mistake 2 out, soon weakened, mistake last, 7th of 17, 27l behind Mr Plod (10-7) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Bendant 8-1 (11-4) Always prominent, led briefly over 4f out, chased winner, no chance final 2f, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Dare Me (11-11) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
Cresswell Pride 80-1 (11-2) Mistake 3rd always towards rear, struggling when unseated rider last, in a race won by City Theatre (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
Mohathab (IRE) 11-1 (8-13) Tracked leader over 7f out, challenging from 4f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 8l behind Inheritor (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec (flat).
Mtoto's Prince 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 5th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Great Reason (11-2) at Ludlow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb, 12 ran.
Strumble Head (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) In touch, jumped slowly 2nd, behind from 4th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind City Theatre (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Whatdoyoucallit (IRE) Snurge gelding out of Glamorous Gale.
History Lesson 25-1 (10-7) Held up, in rear, not fluent 1st, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, tailed off, in a race won by Najaf (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) gs in Feb, 5 ran.
Okey Dokey Lujain gelding out of La Piazza.
Tin Pot Man (IRE) Tillerman gelding out of White-wash.
Welsh Passion 100-1 (9-0) Behind most of way, 11th of 12, 30l behind Diktat Queen (9-0) at Chepstow 7f 3yo mdn fll stks (5) gd in Sep (flat).
