held up in touch, effort and went 2nd approaching last, no extra run-in
led 2nd, made rest, hard press run-in, held on well
tracked leaders, outpaced approaching last, rallied and every chance run-in, kept on
not fluent in mid-division, struggling from 3 out
in touch, ridden approaching last, kept on one pace
led to 2nd, remained prominent until weakened at 2 out
towards rear, struggling 2 out, virtually pulled up run-in
mid-division, headway 2 out, weakened last
towards rear, struggling halfway
Nonrunner
Safari Run can prove the answer to this novices' hurdle and he is nominated over Tot O'Whiskey and Art Bank. The selection ran well behind the useful Artless last time over this course and distance and if she repeats that run today then it should be good enough to see her land the prize. Tot O'Whiskey has some solid form in bumpers but he made hard work of winning on his hurdling debut and he will need to improve on that to get his head in front here. Art Bank was a little disappointing on his sole run in a bumper, but he hails from a leading yard and he is sure to have been well-schooled for this his hurdling bow. Andytown was well beaten on his hurdling debut at Carlisle and he is hard to recommend with confidence on the back of that run. All of which returns us to Safari Run as the one to beat.
Safari Run (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, ridden and went 2nd between last 2, kept on flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Artless (10-10) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Tot O'Whiskey 8-13fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway 2 out, led before last, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct beating Ten Carat (11-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Andytown (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway 6th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 16, 31l behind Marleybow (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Art Bank 14-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 5, 9l behind Theatrical Moment (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Chernik (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway over 4f out, effort 3f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 14, 18l behind Nodforms Paula (10-10) at Hexham 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Exit Forty Four (IRE) Exit To Nowhere gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Merigo (FR) Evensfav (11-7) Bhnd; eff 13; sn wl outpcd; stayed on agn 2 out, 4th of 13, 21l behind Old Noddy (12-0) at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Paddymcgintysgoat (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 5th of 11, 47l behind Issaquah (10-5) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
To Make Tracks (FR) Exit To Nowhere gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Kings Maiden (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 16, 8l behind Jass (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Tinto Verano (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up, lost touch 7f out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 45l behind Starting Point (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) hvy in Mar.
Billsgrey (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Led, hit 6th, headed next, soon ridden and weakened, 9th of 10, 32l behind Augustine (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
