took keen hold, led until 2 out, no extra flat
held up, some headway 5th, driven 3 out, never dangerous
very slowly away, jumped right, held up well behind, stayed on from 2 out, no chance
always prominent, pushed along 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
tracked leader, led going well 2 out, driven clear flat
prominent, weakening when blundered last
started very slowly, held up well behind, tailed off 4th
held up in touch, driven approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from last
saddle soon slipped, mid-division, not fluent 2 out and rider lost iron briefly, kept on flat
held up and behind, tailed off from 4th
held up, behind from 3rd, tailed off
Nonrunner
Not a strong contest to kick off the Haydock jumping season, but one that can be taken by Incursion, with a cautionary note over the ground. The Inchinor gelding has put in his best performances on the level with some cut in the ground, and at the time of writing the official going here is on the fast side of good. A repeat of his last outing over the sticks at Bangor would be good enough to give him a major chance here, though we have to forgive him a poor run on the flat and so he is recommended to small stakes. Beaver is a consistent, if one-paced sort, who will keep plugging on. However, the quicker ground won't really see him to best effect, and he will need to compete in weaker contests to come out on top. End Of An Error is an interesting candidate, who would have an excellent chance on this ground provided she handles the trip. Tony Carroll's mare likes it quick underfoot, but has been contesting races over much further and it must be doubtful that a drop in trip will really help, so we will oppose. Of the others, Hail The King makes some appeal as one who goes on a sound surface and over this trip, but a 9lb rise for his last success looks a little steep and for that reason he is opposed, and we will stick with Incursion.
Honest Endeavour 33-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 12th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Bushido (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov chs (D) gf in Sept, 10 ran.
Hail The King (USA) 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, good headway on inner to lead approaching 2 out, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Apr beating Leopold (10-6) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Noble Pasao (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Held up behind and not fluent, pushed along 5th, soon struggling and pulled up at the last in race won by Cristoforo (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in May, 11 ran.
Time To Roam (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2 out, soon no impression, 4th of 10, 11l behind Lofty Leader (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf.
Incursion 11-8fav (11-0) Led to 1st, led again 4th, mistake and headed 4 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 15l behind Kirkham Abbey (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gs in Aug.
Beaver (AUS) 15-8 (10-9) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, headed before next, weakened between last 2, 3rd of 7, well behind Key To The Kingdom (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf.
End of An Error 5-2 (11-4) Held up, mistake 8th, outpaced 3 out, ran on strongly after last, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind High Gear (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf in Aug.
Mr Twins (ARG) 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2f out, no extra approaching last, 5th of 9, 9l behind Crathorne (11-5) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Margarets Wish 14-1 (10-1) Held up, jumped slowly 4th, soon ridden, losing touch when jumped right 6th, 8th of 11, 32l behind Mister Moussac (10-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Sept.
Reflex Blue 25-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 15, 11l behind Young Tot (11-2) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf.
Sarn 40-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 7th of 15, 45l behind Good Samaritan (10-11) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gs.
Royal Glen (IRE) 15-2 (10-6) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, no impression, 6th of 10, 17l behind Sir Night (10-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf.
La Muette (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Hampered start, soon prominent, every chance when fell 3 out in race won by Fire Ranger (10-12) at Stratford 2m mrs nov hdl (G) gf in Jun, 16 ran.
Upswing 8-1 (10-7) Led to 3rd, led again after 5th, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 9th of 12, 27l behind Isellido (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Dec.
