held up, kept on from 3 out, never near leaders
soon behind, never dangerous
held up behind, mistake 6th, never dangerous
always prominent, joined leaders 5th, led 7th, headed last, ridden and rallied to regain lead final 50 yards
behind from 5th, never dangerous
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, hit 6th, driven and outpaced after 3 out, beaten when eased after next
tracked leaders, headway after 3 out, led last, soon ridden, headed, no extra 50 yards
raced keenly and led, headed 7th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, kept on under pressure from 4 out, never near leaders
Modicum gets the confident vote in the opener with Monsieur and Medison rating the main dangers. The selection won well over hurdles last time out when beating Aviation has the size and scope to make a chaser and under conditions that suit he looks the one to be on. Medison rates the main danger on his best hurdles form but he was very disappointing last season for no apparent reason. However he could have perked up for the change of yard and he should be watched in the market. Monsieur has a little to find on hurdles form with his rivals but he goes well fresh and he could go well at a price. Hobbs Hill was another fair sort over hurdles but he may need the run after a 214 day break. Of the remainder Custom Design is another that could go well but his yard have yet to hit top form and with this in mind for the winner we return to the progressive Modicum.
Custom Design 10-1 (10-5) Prominent, lost place 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Sharp Reply (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Apr, 13 ran.
Erte 12-1 (10-1) Not fluent in rear, headway approaching 2 out, chasing leaders approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 19, 10l behind Hawkwell (11-5) at Hexham 2m amt hcp hdl (5) gf in May.
Finland (UAE) 4-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, kept on from 2 out, no impression, 6th of 17, 22l behind Gidam Gidam (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gf in Dec '05.
Hobbs Hill 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, behind soon after 4th, 18th of 22, 49l behind Ebaziyan (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Mar.
Knock Davron (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division, lost place 5th, behind when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Chukchi Country (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs (5) gf in Apr, 16 ran.
Little Paddy (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Behind, some headway on inside 6th, weakened after 2 out, 11th of 15, 48l behind No Greater Love (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Medison (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Prominent, lost place before 5th, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Border Castle (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Modicum (USA) 7-2fav (11-7) Mid-division, headway to lead before 5th, hard pressed from 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in May beating Aviation (10-13) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Monsieur (FR) 16-1 (11-11) Led after 1st, ridden and headed 5th, weakened 2 out, 8th of 12, 8l behind Festive Chimes (11-2) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Raining Horse (FR) 11-1 (11-6) Held up, driven and headway 4 out, ridden and no impression next, 6th of 12, 25l behind Silver Sedge (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
