tracked leader, led and jumped left 2 out, just over 3 lenghts ahead when mistake and left clear last
chased leading pair, ridden after 3 out, soon no impression, left 2nd last, no chance with winner
raced in 4th, mistakes, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in 5th, jumped slowly 4th, weakened well before 2 out, tailed off
led, edged right bend before 3rd, headed 2 out, soon driven, just over 3 lenghts down when fell last
held up in last, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, went 4th approaching 2 out, left 3rd last, never dangerous
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Rebecca Curtis seems to have found a good opportunity for PRAXITELES to win for the second time this season so that one has our confident selection with Totoman looking the main danger and Penyfan Dawn also has place claims. Easily the highest rated in this Novice Hurdle and well survived by the framing of this contest the pick was an easy winner of a comparable race at Aintree on his first start back. Although it was disappointing he didn't take a race he should have last time we give him another chance with a tongue tie applied for the first time. Totoman wouldn't have to find a great deal on these terms so after a pleasing first start of the year and with his yard in form he remains a threat. Penyfan Dawn is a stable-mate of the one we've just mentioned and makes his first start of the season. He may not make this assignment as he is entered at Worcester on Wednesday but if taking his chance he will need to improve to score. Carrowbehy Lad ran a solid race in a bumper on his sole start so far and should be watched in the market but Praxiteles is the best here and should win.
Praxiteles (IRE) 8-13fav (11-5) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd soon after 4 out, led on inside 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression before last, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind U B Carefull (10-5) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Apache Dawn 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 5th of 11, 18l behind Niceonefrankie (10-10) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in May.
Carrowbehy Lad (IRE) 11-8fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, headway on outer 4f out, 3rd and ridden entering straight, no extra from 1 1/2f out, 5th of 25, 10l behind Caduceus (12-0) at Punchestown 2m N H flat in Oct.
Shadow Wood (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Always in rear, struggling 3 out, tailed off when hit last, 10th of 11, well behind Sonowyouno (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Totoman 7-4fav (11-8) Prominent, hit 5th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, no extra from last, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Players Please (11-4) at Wetherby 2m mdn clm hdl (5) gd.
Carhue Princess (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, 7 lengths 4th when brought down 2 out, in a race won by Bonzeno Queen (10-7) at Stratford 2m nov sell hdl (5) gd in May, 14 ran.
Penyfan Dawn (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Took keen hold early, raced in last, pushed along after 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, hit 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Stopped Out (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Evening Haze 6-1 (9-12) Took keen hold early, chased leaders, ridden and not fluent 2 out, weakened to 4th and hit last, 5th of 8, 23l behind Washango (10-0) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.