mid-division and raced wide, tracked leaders after 5th, jumped mainly right throughout, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders before 2 out, every chance last, weakened run-in
close up, lost place 3rd, struggling from 3 out
mid-division, headway after 3 out, led last, kept on and headed close home
tracked leaders, pushed along before 6th, weakened from 3 out
with leaders, led 3rd, soon headed, led again before 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra
led to 3rd, lost place 3 out, headway before 2 out, kept on to lead close home
with leaders, led after 3rd, pushed along and headed before 2 out, soon weakened
The second division of this maiden hurdle is even less enthralling than the first division but there may be more to come from SAMARKAND, who won over 1m4f on the all-weather, and he gets the nod on his first start since starting favourite for a jumpers' bumper at Lingfield in January. Comedy House won a bumper last year and was placed several times on the Flat. He's already shown a bit of ability over hurdles and looks the danger ahead of Dougalstar.
Burnbrake 33-1 (11-0) In rear, jumped slowly and lost touch 4th, pulled up after, in a race won by Sircozy (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug '10, 11 ran.
Comedy House 12-1 (10-7) Towards rear, hit 4 out, some headway on inside approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 12, 45l behind Romeo Americo (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Jun.
Going Twice 50-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 13, 37l behind Looking On (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Mar.
Port Hill 100-1 (11-2) Mid-division, struggling when not fluent 5th, soon well beaten, 9th of 11, 40l behind Minella Definitely (11-9) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Samarkand (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Mid-division in 5th, headway on outer over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 13l behind Spoil Me (11-5) at Lingfield 2m n h flat (5) std in Jan.
Dougalstar (FR) 33-1 (10-0) In touch on outside, effort when wandered 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression approaching last, 5th of 10, 10l behind Wild Card (10-12) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Jack By The Hedge 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led 3f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 14l behind Red Sherlock (10-11) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) sft in Feb.
Jakeys Girl 40-1 (9-12) Chased leaders until ridden and lost place over 3f out, last of 10, 21l behind El Bravo (10-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f am hcp 0-55 (6) pol (flat).
Mac's Grey (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 13, 47l behind Catch The Rhythm (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf.
Novel Dancer 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, no impression, 6th of 13, 29l behind Catch The Rhythm (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf.
