held up mid-division, headway to track leaders 3 out, challenged next, went right last, stayed on strongly to lead final 100 yards
mid-division, ridden after 6th, weakened after next
chased leaders until 3rd, behind from 6th
chased leaders until weakened after 6th, tailed off
led until 3rd, chased leaders until blundered 6th, weakened quickly and pulled up before next
mid-division until 5th, soon behind
not fluent early, towards rear, hit 2nd, some late headway, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, soon hard pressed, no extra when headed final 100 yards
towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, not reach leaders
in touch, led after 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led 3rd until after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
Karello Bay makes her debut over hurdles today going in search of her hat-trick, and she gets the vote here ahead of Benetwood and Buckland Gold. The last-named reverts to the smaller obstacles after falling last time out, however a reproduction of his second to the very smart Sir Jimmy Shand would see him firmly in the mix-up. Benetwood won his bumper on similar ground, and his second to My Turn Now on his hurdling debut has been very much franked by the winner, who has gone in since and is now aimed at the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday. He has the services of top jockey AP McCoy today (who rode him on his bumper win) and is entitled to go very close indeed. However he may struggle to give weight away to the selection, Nicky Henderson's Karello Bay. The stable is still in fine form, and although she has a long break to overcome, she looks the class horse in the field. Her last win was a Listed bumper contest at Sandown in March, and as she is totally at home in this ground, she is taken to make a successful start to her hurdling career. Psychomodo represents a stable in good form and is entitled to be respect based on his fair bumper form, whilst Eurocomach will have to step up considerably on his two hurdles runs to date. Therefore we return to the very exciting prospect, Karello Bay, as our idea of the winner.
Benetwood (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden next, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 10, 5l behind My Turn Now (11-8) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Buckland Gold (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, effort and every chance when fell 2 out in race won by Ballyrainey (10-2) at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Clanrye (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Mid-divsion and keen weakened 6th, well behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Christdalo (10-7) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Eurocomach (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 17, 32l behind Wizard of Us (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Lustre Lad 100-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 48l behind Here's Johnny (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Menemore (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Prominent, mistake and weakened after 6th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Leading Attraction (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 16 ran.
Otantique (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway to track leaders 8th, still close up when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 31l behind Toemac (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Psychomodo 11-4fav (10-9) Chased leaders, led halfway, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 20, 17l behind Den of Iniquity (11-2) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Sporting Rebel (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, no impression, 8th of 18, 24l behind Thirty Five Black (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Karello Bay 5-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Sandown 2m mrs lst nhf (1) sft in Mar beating Wyldello (11-4) by a nk, 18 ran.
President Royal (FR) 66-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace, 6th of 16, 20l behind Raslan (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Rocca's Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, headway halfway, chased winner 3f out, no extra and lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Indian Storm (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Nov.
