mid-division, headway 6th, pushed along 4 out, outpaced when blundered 2 out, not recover
held up in rear, headway 3 out, led between last 2, headed run-in, no extra
led, mistake and headed 2 out, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before last
prominent, effort 2 out, no extra approaching last
in touch, headway approaching 3 out, effort 2 out, no extra approaching last
towards rear, headway halfway, led briefly 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly to lead again run-in, kept on
prominent, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up before last
Honour's Dream deserves to get his head in front having been placed in each of his last three starts but Tom George's gelding may have to settle for minor honours again in a race where it may be worth taking a chance with FOLK TUNE, who is preferred to Great Approach. The Nicky Richards-trained gelding seemed to appreciate the return to hurdles when successful at Bangor last time having struggled in recent starts over fences but a 5lb rise for that success means that he has to race off a career high mark now. Patavium has not been seen for over a year so his fitness will have to be taken on trust but he has to be respected off a fair mark. Sue Smith's Karmadice is less exposed than most of these but needs to improve on all known form, while Follow On has struggled in handicaps since landing a novices' hurdle almost a year ago. The vote then goes to Ferdy Murphy's Folk Tune, who has been slightly below par in his last couple of starts but he has been given a chance by the handicapper and comes from a stable in good form.
Great Approach (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 8th, led and hit last, driven out, won at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar beating Distiller (10-10) by 1l, 12 ran.
Folk Tune (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 10, 26l behind Well Disguised (9-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Quito Du Tresor (FR) (10-5) won at Angers(FR) 2m 4f hdl in Feb beating Luc Moriniere (10-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Karmadice 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened 5 out, 8th of 11, well behind Quinz (10-8) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Patavium (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 21l behind Flake (10-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gf in Feb '08.
Follow On 50-1 (11-3) Held up, headway and in touch before 2 out, driven and outpaced between last 2, soon no impression, 5th of 11, 18l behind Glencree (11-6) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Now Then Sid 28-1 (10-11) With leader, lost place 12th, soon behind, pulled up before 15th, in a race won by Treehouse (9-11) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr, 17 ran.
First Look (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Held up, ridden 2 out, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 14l behind Gringo (11-4) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Honour's Dream (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, reminder after 9th, hampered next, left 2nd, held from 4 out, mistake last, 2nd of 5, 24l behind Picts Hill (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Mar.
