close up, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up after 7th
tracked leaders, led 6th, headed last, kept on under pressure
held up, headway to chase leader 4 out, led last, ridden out
close up, ridden 3 out, weakened between last 2
in touch, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led to 6th, weakened after next
Just the six runners line up for this novices' hurdle and it looks little more than a match between Innominate and Mr Barnacle, with marginal preference for the latter, who has proven form over the trip. The selection showed a decent level of form in all three starts last term, including when stepped up to this distance at Wetherby last month when chasing home The Wooden Spoon. The softer ground today should not inconvenience the Nicky Richards-trained gelding and he looks worth another chance this afternoon. Innominate seemed not to stay three miles when tackling the trip for the first time at Doncaster but it is interesting that Lucinda Russell is trying him over the trip again. The remainder look a very moderate bunch with Silver Breeze arguably the pick over Billslegacy but for the winner it is Mr Barnacle that gets the vote.
Billslegacy (IRE) 300-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, tailed off 2 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Emmenso (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Apr, 10 ran.
Innominate (IRE) 4-6fav (11-0) Chased leaders, led 4 out, headed towards finish, one pace, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Bold Punt (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Apr.
Mr Barnacle (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Held up and mistakes, headway 7th, chased winner from 4 out, one pace, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind The Wooden Spoon (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Silver Breese 18-1 (11-0) Behind, outpaced and blundered badly 6th, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Solway Bee (10-2) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Solway Raki 200-1 (10-7) Chased leaders until lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Schelm (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Jump To It 66-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, under pressure and lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Axinit (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.