in touch, close up when unseated rider 6th
in rear and not jump well, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always prominent, ridden to lead after 3 out, mistake last, soon headed
tracked leaders, blundered 5th, soon weakened and tailed off
mid-division, steady headway after 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up in touch, weakened 3 out
led, mistake 6th, ridden next, headed and weakened
held up mid-division, outpaced 6th, stayed on approaching 2 out but no chance
held up mid-division, steady headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, headway to join leaders 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leaders throughout, ridden from 6th, no chance when chasing clear pair 2 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, headway 6th, driven along 2 out to chase leader, led soon after last, ran on
tracked leaders, mistakes, lost place 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
led into start, started slowly, keen and always in rear when pulled up before 6th
Already a winner of a Listed hurdle in France, Malleton is expected to be very hard to beat on his British debut and he gets the nod over the improving Brankley Boy and unexposed youngster Crackleando, who has the benefit of a 9lb weight-for-age allowance today. The last named was only modest on the Flat when he was with Nick Littmoden. But he was far from disgraced on his hurdles debut at Towcester last month. The four-year-old travelled well until just running out of steam coming up the stiff uphill finish. This much flatter course will be more to his liking and he could easily make the frame with a similar performance today. Brankley Boy is another to seriously consider after he caught the eye in defeat behind the useful Rebel Rhythm at Bangor just over three weeks ago. That effort came on the back of a long absence and was all the more commendable as he overcame a bad stumble on landing two-flights from the finish. Nicky Henderson's string are really firing at present and this son of Afzal is the likeliest candidate to benefit if the selection needs a little more time to adjust to racing on these shores. However, Venetia Williams, who trains locally, has done very well with similar types in the past. Her record at this course already makes for impressive reading and she looks to have found another decent recruit in Malleton to keep her supporters happy as things unfold in the opener here.
Maletton (FR) won at Auteuil 2m 3f hcp hdl sft in Nov beating Tiger Blitz by 4l, 17 ran.
Beltane 50-1 Mid-division, ridden 5f out and soon behind, last of 19, 35l behind Caerphilly Gal at Yarmouth 1m stk (H5) gd in Oct (Flat).
Brankley Boy 14-1 Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Rebel Rhythm at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Breathoffreshair (IRE) 100-1 Always behind, ridden 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Mon Villez at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Dec '03, 18 ran.
Down's Folly (IRE) 25-1 Held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 13, 32l behind Rebel Rhythm at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Goodbye Chemo 80-1 Led, headed 3rd, weakened 3 out, no chance when mistake 2 out and last, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Mighty Man at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Kims Pearl (IRE) 40-1 Keen, led after 1st, quickened approaching 3 out, clear when hit last, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Feb beating Kelly by 3l, 8 ran.
Little Brave 16-1 In touch until ridden over 4 out, weakened over 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Spunkie at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (D) sft in Jan '01.
Mead (IRE) 12-1 Chased leader, not fluent 3rd, weakened 4 out, 9th of 13, 30l behind Kingston Town at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Oct.
Tom Bell (IRE) 6-1 Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, ridden and every chance 2 out, third and held when fell at the last in race won by Field Roller at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (E) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Trust Me (IRE) 7-1 Never a factor, 8th of 12, 29l behind Greenhill Bramble at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Vicario 5-1 Led 1st, in touch until ridden and every chance 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 8, 10l behind Kims Pearl at Chepstow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Feb.
Make It Plain 200-1 In touch to 4th, tailed off when pulled up at the 5th in race won by Darkness at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (E) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Crackleando 14-1 Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, every chance 8th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 11, 19l behind Darkness at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Novice d'Estruval (FR) 33-1 Held up and never dangerous, 10th of 14, 19l behind Wishin And Hopin at Exeter 1m 5f 4yo nhf (H) sft in Jan.
Grace Dieu 28-1 Virtually refused to race and left start, rapid headway to lead after 2f, headed over 7f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, well behind She's Our Daisy at Taunton 2m 1f mrs nhf (H) gs in Jan.
