soon with leader, led 6th, clear before last, headed last 100 yards, no extra and lost 2nd place
held up mid-division, quickly pulled up 7th
held up towards rear, pulled up before 2nd
held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, in 4th and outpaced before 2 out, kept on to lead run-in
tracked leader, weakened from 6 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out
led to 6th, ridden before last, soon weakened
held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out
mid-division, headway 2 out, kept on before last, every chance run-in, kept on towards finish
Michael Scudamore has sent four up from Herefordshire for this meeting and will be hoping that Far From Defeat can get his team off to a flying start. He only found one too good in a couple of bumpers last season. Stilo Blue Native has been thereabouts in all four hurdles starts to date so has to go on the short-list while winning pointer Celtic Flames was second in a Perth bumper last month. Mister Don has shown promise between the flags but OSCAR BLUE makes most appeal. Brian Ellison's charge beat a subsequent Flat winner in a Sedgefield bumper in March having only been beaten two lengths by winning hurdler Fingerontheswitch in an Irish point-to-point earlier.
Celtic Flames (IRE) 17-2 (11-2) Mid-division, took keen hold, closed 3f out, ridden and went 2nd 2f out, no chance with winner final furlong, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Fagan (11-2) at Perth 2m (6) gs in Sep.
Far From Defeat (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) With leader, every chance from over 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Down The Line (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) gs in Apr.
Just My Luke 66-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened after 3 out, last of 8, dist behind Prince Khurram (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Landmeafortune (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 5 out, weakened from next, 5th of 9, 31 1/4l behind Quick Brew (11-0) at Hexham 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Messina Straights 66-1 (10-12) Led until 3rd, ridden after next, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Degooch (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) gd in May.
Mister Don (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Ld & disp, hd 4th, 2nd 1/2way, ld again str, hdd on line, just failed, 2nd of 8, hd behind Robin Of Locksley (12-2) at Nenagh 3m mdn hvy in Jan.
Oscar Blue (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 5f out, soon outpaced, kept on to take 3rd place towards finish, no impression, 3rd of 8, 13l behind William Henry (11-8) at Ayr 2m (3) gd in Apr.
Pickle And Tickle (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Led, headed over 12f out, stayed handy until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, dist behind Meet The Legend (11-2) at Kelso 2m mdn (6) gf in Sep.
Pikes Peak (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Mid div, 5th 1/2way, prog to 3rd appr 3out, went 2nd apr str, 4l dwn 2out, no ch with wnr last, ko onepcd, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Carrig Dubh (11-11) at Fairyhouse Ptp 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Stilo Blue Native (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden 2 out, one pace, 4th of 7, 12 1/2l behind Hellorboston (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Whatsthestoryman (IRE) 9-4 (12-5) (tt) prom til ur 7, at Hexham 3m in May.
Fairy Theatre (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, effort on outside over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 35 3/4l behind Meet The Legend (11-2) at Kelso 2m mdn (6) gf in Sep.
