prominent, led and mistake 9th, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching last
in rear, lost touch after 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, hard ridden after 8th, always behind, tailed off
mid division on outside, headway approaching 8th, challenging when mistake 3 out, soon led, clear approaching last, eased towards finish
in rear, struggling 4th, tailed off and pulled up after 7th
led to 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid division, headway 6, pushed along after 8th, 3rd when mistake 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened after 3 out
pressed leader, jumped path after 6th, ridden after 9th, stumbled when weakening 3 out
towards rear, pushed along when not fluent 7th, always behind, tailed off
mid division, pushed along after jumping slowly 4th, behind when mistake 9th, some progress from 2 out but no danger
Ballyoliver got to within fifteen lengths of Kangaroo Court between the flags and looks a player on his hurdling bow, however QUIDEO DE TOUZAINE is a horse of great potential and is preferred to Timeshift and Court Red Handed in what looks a little cracker of a race. The selection was a ready winner on his bumper debut in March when beating Pipe Banner at Stratford by seven lengths. Related to several winners in France, this gelding has the potential to make a fair impact over hurdles and the market should help guide to his fitness. Noble Aran has the experience of one run over hurdles where he was well-fancied but disappointed, The Disengager is just one of several former point-to-pointers who knows how to win, whilst Viking Blond and the mare Saulty Max give Nigel Twiston-Davies two darts to throw at the board. Jau showed plenty of ability in two bumpers last season and conditions here should be ideal for this hurdling debut, whilst Filippo Lippi was well-fancied at Worcester last month but was abject and connections waste no time in sending him over hurdles. Rebecca Curtis has a few interesting Irish imports in the yard and Court Red Handed needs watching in the betting, whilst Ballyoliver's form between the flags looks strong and he looks to be starting off over hurdles at the right sort of distance. The market is likely to be very informative here, however without that information we are happy to side with Quideo De Touzaine.
Court Red Handed (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, effort and every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace approaching final furlong, 7th of 17, 19l behind Solway Sam (11-2) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
Deepwood Fox 50-1 (10-9) Jumped left 1st, chased leaders, ridden 8th, 5th and weakening when slipped up bend before 9th, in a race won by Zemsky (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 9 ran.
Filippo Lippi (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Held up, some progress when hung right over 4f out, tried to close over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 25l behind Friendship Bay (11-4) at Worcester 2m NH flat (5) gs in Oct.
Jau 5-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 9, 17l behind Vino Griego (10-8) at Ascot 2m NH flat (3) hvy in Feb.
Kelly's Quest Karinga Bay gelding out of Kelly's Island.
Noble Aran (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Led, jumped slowly 1st, soon headed, chased leader until ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, well behind Helpston (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov '08.
Quideo de Touzaine (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Held up, pushed along briefly halfway, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m mdn NH flat (5) gs in Mar beating Pipe Banner (11-4) by 7l, 16 ran.
The Disengager (IRE) 11-8 (11-7) Trckd ldrs til ur 10, in a race won by Gin 'n' Fonic (12-0) at Holnicote 3m ptp gd in May, 4 ran.
Timeshift (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Led after 3f, ridden and headed inside final furlong, rallied and kept on well, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Volador (11-3) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Viking Blond (FR) 11-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 6th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, well behind Dunaskin (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Saulty Max (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, outpaced over 7f out, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 14, 30l behind Moorlands Teri (10-2) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
Ballyoliver 5-1 (11-2) In touch, raced keenly, steadied after 4f, headway 10f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 36l behind Aberdale (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (4) gs in Mar.
Knight In Purple 3-1 (11-0) Mid-division and keen, outpaced approaching 2 out, hung right and weakened approaching last, 6th of 8, 42l behind Breeze Out (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
