mid-division, headway 3 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on well
held up, never dangerous
in touch, chased leaders after 3 out, kept on under pressure
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon chasing leaders, never able to challenge
behind, headway after 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, weakened 3 out
always behind
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms
made all, soon clear, ridden approaching last, held on under pressure
mid-division, under pressure approaching 3 out, soon beaten
held up in touch, hit 2nd, ridden and lose place before 3 out
tracked leaders, pushed along 3 out, soon one pace
always behind, pulled up 3 out
prominent, slow 1st, chase winner approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Another hugely competitive handicap to solve here but Mango Catcher, a very easy winner at Uttoxeter last time is the selection. Travelling strongly throughout that contest, Mango Catcher relishes these quick ground conditions and while he has before shown a tendency to think about the job before, he is the clear form pick. Cortinas won a moderate novice hurdle at Huntingdon last time but previously was beaten by the very one paced Beherayn on his penultimate start. He faces a stiff task off top-weight here. Royal Rationale was the winner of a Chepstow maiden hurdle last time, winning it convincingly but what was behind is questionable. Ta Peshala is another one that enters calculations along with Temple Place who re-opposes Henry Daly's charge. Mango Catcher is given the vote.
Cortinas (GER) 5-6fav (11-6) Not fluent 1st, held up well in rear, smooth headway 3 out, every chance next, led last, pushed out flat, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Parlesotho (10-7) by 4l, 10 ran.
Temple Place (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, no impression approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 15l behind Barney (10-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl (3) gd.
Ship's Hill (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling 3 out, 13th of 17, 20l behind Majaales (11-1) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Mango Catcher (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, led last, ran on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May beating Primitive Academy (10-13) by 6l, 11 ran.
Royal Rationale (IRE) Evensfav (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr beating Raise The Heights (11-0) by 6l, 13 ran.
Twist Bookie (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 10th of 17, 22l behind King's Head (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Albarino (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Stumbled 1st, held up, short-lived effort 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 19l behind Humid Climate (10-1) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Stagehand (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, weakening when mistake 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Bureaucrat (11-11) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May, 12 ran.
Viper 16-1 (11-4) Soon led, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Temple Place (11-6) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May.
Jacks Craic (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Led, headed 3rd, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 8, 41l behind English City (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Marrel 16-1 (10-3) In touch, headway approaching 7th, one pace last, 5th of 11, 7l behind Nanga Parbat (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Top Achiever (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, pushed along 6th, every chance approaching 3 out, soon under pressure, weakened next, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Mango Catcher (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Ta Peshala (FR) 22-1 (10-8) Held up and keen, headway 4 out, every chance approaching last, hung left and not quicken flat, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Temple Place (11-6) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May.
Gallant Hero 11-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, blundered 2nd, struggling 6th, never near leaders, 7th of 11, 30l behind Lord Ryeford (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Ballyjohnboy Lord (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Towards rear, some progress 9th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 15, 41l behind Wotashambles (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jul.
Federstar (GER) 7-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 3 out, under pressure to go 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Mr Jack Daniells (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
