tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, led before last, idled run-in, ridden out
prominent, joined leader 4th, led 6th, joined after 2 out, headed and weakened before last
led, hit 4th, headed 6th, outpaced by leading pair soon after 2 out
in touch, mistake 3rd, struggling before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
pulled hard, with leader to 4th, jumped slowly and lost touch next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders until mistake and weakened 2 out
always last, lost touch before 5th, tailed off next
A trappy little hurdle race where tactics will play a major part. It appears to rest between Dusky Warbler, Jair Ohmsford and Without A Doubt and we will go with the first named. Gary Moore has a stable full of hurdling talent and the selection looked an above average recruit when easily winning on his debut at Leicester. The horse he beat was Jair Ohmsford and on the face of it there is no reason why the runner up should reverse the form. However Dusky Warbler did disappoint a little next time out, beaten at long odds on, while Jair Ohmsford was an impressive winner next time out. Both are still open to plenty of improvement and it could be very close between them today. Without A Doubt must also enter calculations having finished an excellent third behind the Cheltenham bound Coat Of Honour back in December, before running well in the Lanzarotte Handicap. Magot De Grugy adds even more interest and should do best of the remainder, but we are giving Dusky Warbler a chance to redeem his reputation and he just edges the verdict.
Dusky Warbler 3-10fav Held up, hit 1st, blundered 4th, headway and not fluent 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, mistake last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Lord Brock at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gs in Jan.
Jair Ohmsford (IRE) 7-2 Held up in mid-division, good headway to track leader between last 2, led well before last, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Jan beating Miko de Beauchene by 11l, 13 ran.
Without A Doubt 16-1 In touch until weakened after 3 out, 12th of 21, 19l behind Crossbow Creek at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Jan.
Dry Old Party (IRE) 100-1 Held up towards rear, ridden 4th, headway 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Demarco at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (E) gs, 11 ran.
Legalis (USA) 9-4fav Slowly into stride, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 10, hd behind Travel Tardia at W'hampton 7f clm (H) fbs in Mar (Flat).
Magot de Grugy (FR) 9-2fav Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Sigwells Club Boy at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) sft in Jan.
Silver Silence (JPN) 10-1 With leader, led after 2f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened, 7th of 9, 20l behind Hello It's Me at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (C1) pol in Dec (Flat).
