in touch, headway to chase winner 8th until 2 out, soon no extra
towards rear, some headway 8th, ridden and weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before last
towards rear, struggling half way, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
made all, soon clear, unchallenged
mid-division, hit 9th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway and prominent in chasing group 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner flat
prominent to 8th, soon weakened
prominent, ridden 9th, soon weakened
towards rear, headway after 8th, weakened after 2 out
towards rear, outpaced after 3 out, kept on one pace from next
mid-division, struggling from 7th
Double Deputy, Matt The Thrasher and Frankie Figg look the main protagonists in this novices hurdle and the narrow vote is given to Matt The Thrasher. The selection ran well in a handicap until falling last time out. That form looks solid in the context of this race and under conditions that suit he is taken to regain the winning thread. Double Deputy rates the main danger on his best form but he ran no sort of race last time out so can not be put forward with much confidence. Frankie Figg was a fair second behind Hilly Gale when last seen but the suspicion is he may just need the run after a 172 day break. Rifleman has the ability to go close but he is very hard to win with. Of the others Willie The Fish is from a shrewd yard and is worth a cautionary look in the market but Matt The Thrasher is our idea of the winner.
Double Deputy (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Held up in touch, weakened quickly approaching and pulled up 3 out in race won by Browneyes Blue (11-5) at Perth 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept, 5 ran.
Cassius Dio (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) In touch, jumped badly left and lost place 4th, soon well behind, 11th of 12, well behind Tell Henry (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Daniel's Dream 28-1 (10-12) Prominent until weakened 2 out, 8th of 19, 28l behind Hawkwell (11-5) at Hexham 2m amt hcp hdl (5) gf in May.
Frankie Figg (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Raced keenly and held up, headway and in touch 4th, every chance 2 out, ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Hilly Gale (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
King of Slane 20-1 (10-12) Raced keenly mid-division, lost place 4th, soon well behind, 10th of 11, well behind Summer Lodge (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Matt The Thrasher (IRE) 11-4fav (10-4) Took keen hold, held up, headway 3 out, 6 lengths down in 3rd and beaten when fell at the last in race won by Sea Wall (11-5) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sept, 10 ran.
Rectory (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 5th, tailed off 3 out, 14th of 18, well behind Imperial Commander (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Rifleman (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Mid-division, driven along after 6th, behind from 10th, 6th of 15, 45l behind Roussea (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs (5) gf in Sept.
The Event Master (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden after 5th, weakened 6th, 7th of 13, well behind Levitski (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Willie The Fish (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 6th, rallied after 3 out, kept on no impression, 5th of 10, 15l behind College City (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Panama Mermaid (IRE) 40-1 (10-2) Held up, headway 6th, ridden 8th, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 25l behind Princess of Spurs (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gs in Jul.
