chased leaders, ridden approaching 5th, one pace from 3 out
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, lost touch from 6th, tailed off
not jump well, chased leaders, led after 5th, blundered next and 3 out soon headed, 3rd and held when went left and unseated rider last
prominent, led 2nd until next, stumbled on bend approaching 4th, hit 5th, soon lost touch, stayed on again from 2 out
in touch until 6th, weakened after 3 out
in touch, went right 1st, stumbled on bend approaching 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
hampered 1st, never going in rear, behind and pulled up after 5th
in touch, ridden after 6th, jumped left from 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, no chance with winner
in touch, led on bit after 3 out, soon clear, very easily
led 1st until next, led 3rd until 5th, weakening when stumlbed 6th, pulled up before next
Terry Mills has a rare hurdle runner in Settlement Craic which carries our vote with Lease Back and Dubai Ace being the main dangers. The selection was twice a winner on the flat over a mile and a half and ran second on his hurdles debut at Plumpton last time out. Jim Crowley again travels down from the north to ride him and with improvement will win this race. Lease Back was travelling well until unseating three out at Wincanton on his latest outing. He had finished a fair second on his hurdles debut prior to that and may well have won but for getting rid of his jockey last time out so is worth noting. Dubai Ace has been contesting in high class events around grade one tracks. He has also performed with credit against some good horses so this drop in grade will be in his favour so is one to put on the short list. But for the winner we return to Settlement Craic.
Blueberry Ice (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Always prominent, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on, won at Hereford 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (E) gf in Apr beating Bonny Grey (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Colony Hill (IRE) Broken Hearted gelding out of Arctic Raheen.
Peppershot 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Flintoff (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) gf, 9 ran.
Sound Skin (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden in 3rd when mistake 2 out, beaten when mistake last, 3rd of 9, 18l behind My Pal Val (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (E) gf.
Can Can Flyer (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 1st, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off 2 out, 10th of 11, well behind At Your Request (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo hdl (E) gd in Apr.
Dubai Ace (USA) 66-1 (10-10) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, soon in rear, 16th of 24, 27l behind Dabiroun (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hcp hdl (A) gd in Mar.
Settlement Craic (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Held up in mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway 6th, mistake and chased winner 3 out, kept on well flat, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Kilindini (10-12) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (F) gd.
Lease Back (FR) 9-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 7th, mistake 8th, going well when unseated rider 3 out in race won by Bowleaze (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gd, 17 ran.
