prominent, ridden 6th, soon weakened
prominent, ridden and hampered bend after 3 out, every chance 2 out, no extra from last
mid-division, ridden and weakened 6th, fell 3 out
led, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, mistake 6th, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leader, ridden 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on flat but no chance with winner
never better than mid-division
mid-division, ridden and effort 3 out, one pace
in touch, chased leader 6th, led on bit and hit 2 out, not fluent last, pushed out flat, comfortably
towards rear, ridden after 3 out, one pace
held up, ridden and effort 3 out, no impression on leaders after
always towards rear, no impression
An open beginning in which preference is for Blackthorn Boy ahead of Master Darcy and Shining Gale. The selection ran well behind the useful yardstick Mexican Bob last time and if building on that effort then he should be on the premises. That was his best bit of form since winning a Fontwell bumper back in April and with more to come then he can get off the mark over timber. Shining Gale drops in trip today but that may not be ideal as he was a winner over further in the point-to-point sphere, whilst Rathmulen is another pointer who needs respect on his hurdling debut. Tullamore Dew needs a check in the betting on his debut, whilst Botaldor represents a stable in top form but needs to improve. Asparagus Wingnut is another newcomer who is sure to have been well-schooled for his hurdles debut, whilst Iroquois Warrior should go better than last time. An open race, with the vote going to Blackthorn Boy.
Asparagus Wingnut (IRE) 15-2 (10-13) Led, headed after 1f, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 8th of 16, 23l behind Kingston Lane (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Blackthorn Boy (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Mexican Bob (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Botaldor (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Held up, headway 2 out, driven and weakened between last 2, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Pocket Aces (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Funny Fellow 50-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, held up and behind, always towards rear, 12th of 16, well behind Give Me A Dime (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Iroquois Warrior (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Mid-division and keen, plugged on, 6th of 15, 24l behind Planet of Sound (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Istron Bay 12-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 6f out, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, well behind Latanier (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Master Darcy 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Outlandish (11-11) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) pol in Nov.
Mister Pan (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake and lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mount Oscar (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 18 ran.
Rathmulen (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, headway 6f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 16, 19l behind Take Me There (11-7) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Shining Gale (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, led after 7th, headed 2 out, hung left approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Go Amwell (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Sure Flame (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, led and soon clear, headed 4 out, weakening when hit 3 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Nom de Guerre (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gf in Dec, 7 ran.
Tanktastic 20-1 (11-0) Prominent and keen, led after 2f, headed 9f out, weakened over 4f out, 7th of 10, well behind Paddy Live (10-7) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Tullamore Dew (IRE) Pistolet Bleu gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Sullane Storm.
Filly So Fickle 33-1 (10-10) Took keen hold in rear, headway over 1f out, never near leaders, 5th of 14, 10l behind Fresh Air And Fun (10-13) at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in May.
Glandore Moon 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, behind from 5th, tailed off when hit next and pulled up 2 out in race won by Hidden Weapon (10-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Wee Alfie (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Latanier (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Dec.
