mid-division, headway 5th, joined leaders approaching 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well
led until 3rd, soon dropped rear, never dangerous from 6th
pulled hard, held up rear, hampered 2nd, headway 4th, tracked leading pair after 3 out, effort approaching last, kept on same pace
held up behind, hampered 2nd, headway after 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
in touch, hampered 2nd, weakened approaching 3 out
tracking leaders when jinked badly right and unseated rider 2nd
mid-division, headway 6th, left in lead 3 out, hard pressed and ridden before next, headed approaching last, no extra
tracked leaders, led briefly approaching 6th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
tracking leaders when very badly hampered 2nd and dropped rear, never on terms after
tracked leaders, left in lead 4th, headed briefly approaching 6th,slight advantage when fell 3 out
hampered 2nd, always behind
The Bonus King was good value for his win at Southwell two starts ago but has disappointed either side of that and may not be one to trust implicitly, especially under a penalty, and a chance is taken with the hurdling newcomer Honduras, who is preferred to Our Teddy. The last mentioned is a fair middle distance handicapper on the flat and trainer Paul Blockley has started the season in fair form so he cannot be discounted. Bay Hawk looks the pick of Brendan Powell's trio ahead of Zion and See The View. Cistercian showed only a modicum of ability on his hurdles debut and is probably best watched in a race where the vote goes to Gary Moore's Honduras, who should strip fitter for his British debut on the flat in a Listed race at Goodwood last month and is taken to make a winning start to his hurdling career.
The Bonus King 14-1 (11-4) Held up, headway when hit 3 out, went 3rd and ridden, no impression after 3 out, hit 2 out, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Ellerslie Tom (11-7) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) gf in Aug.
Honduras (SWI) 100-1 (9-1) Held up, brief effort 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 9l behind Crosspeace (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 4f lst stk (1) gf in Aug (Flat).
Our Teddy (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 14, 3l behind Rationale (9-5) at Bath 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (3) gf in Aug (Flat).
See The View (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway 5f out, chased leaders 3f out, no impression, 4th of 13, 15l behind Red Bells (11-4) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Aug.
Zion (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Chased leading pair, led and jumped right from 4th, headed and ridden flat, no extra, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Changing Gear (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Discomania 25-1 (10-1) Held up, jumped slowly 4th and 5th, soon behind, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Jacaranda (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Cistercian (IRE) (12-0) Fell at the 11th in race won by Roscar (12-0) at Kirkistown 3m ire ptp gd in May, 13 ran.
I'll Ask O'Jay 33-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, lost place 5f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, 9th of 12, 25l behind Leac An Scail (11-0) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gd in Jul.