tracked leaders, hit 5th, under pressure approaching 3 out, not pace to challenge
made all, hard driven approaching 3 out, kept on well under pressure (no time taken)
held up in rear, headway halfway, soon chasing winner, stayed on under pressure
tracked winner, mistake 5th, pushed along 5 out, gradually weakened
mid-division, weakened 5 out
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon under pressure, weakened after 3 out
held up, jumped slowly 5th, weakened approaching 4 out
Lucy Wadam's PUNJABI ARMY sets a fair standard in this Novices' Hurdle and we'll give the gelding our vote on his seasonal bow although Next Week looks dangerous if staying this far now stepping down in class and Lamboro Lad could be interesting if building on an encouraging hurdles debut. With no doubts about this trip suiting the selection may have won his last start had he not made an error at the last when challenging. The form from that outing seems to have a solid look about it and he should go one better this time. Tony McCoy is an eye-catching jockey booking for Next Week who won his only start in a point to point before making the frame and then scoring over hurdles last time. He was all out to win over two miles to claim that victory so the extra mile might just find him out. Lamboro Lad placed in a maiden hurdle on his seasonal bow last time so can come on for that run while House Of Bourbon wouldn't have to improve a great deal to get involved in the shake-up. This looks a good competitive contest that can go the way of Punjabi Army.
Comehomequietly (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up, soon in touch, went 2nd 4th, led next, headed approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Balthazar King (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
House Of Bourbon (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Led to 4th, chased leader until not fluent 8th, not fluent next, soon ridden, jumped right 13th, weakened approaching 4 out, last of 4, 29l behind Calusa Caldera (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Lamboro Lad (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear on outside, headway 4th, went 2nd 7th until before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, left 3rd just after 2 out, 3rd of 11, 22l behind Balthazar King (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Paddy The Pirate (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th and 7th, not fluent 8th, effort 3 out, weakening when racing very awkwardly between last 2, 8th of 10, 25l behind Qianshan Leader (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Punjabi Army 25-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, hit 4 out, headway to chase winner approaching 2 out, upsides when mistake last, no extra and held flat, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Definity (11-8) at Newbury 3m nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Tim Henry (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led 8th, jumped right next, headed just after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Persian Run (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Ameno (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Soon mid-division, 8th halfway, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Royal Choice (11-7) at Tramore 2m 5yo mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Next Week (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Made all, ridden and challenged 2 out, bad mistake last, kept on well under pressure run-in, all out, won at Listowel 2m nh nov hdl gd in Sep beating Pires (11-4) by hd, 18 ran.
