held up in rear, headway 6th, hit 3 out, chased winner and mistake last, stayed on under pressure, always held
chased leading pair, went 2nd 4th, led next, headed after 6th, led again after next, not fluent 3 out, driven flat, stayed on gamely
led until not fluent 3rd, mistake and lost places 5, weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 6th, chased winner 3 out until not fluent last, one pace
held up, raced keenly, improved 3rd, went 2nd approaching 6th, led soon after 6th, headed after 7th, hung left and weakened after 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader, led 3rd to 5th, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off
Although giving a lot of weight away the in-form MISSION CONTROL should take this Novice Hurdle in what looks a straight match against Sadler's Star while Arkrose looks best of the rest. As seems the norm Tim Vaughan's yard have started the season well and Mission Control has been part of that success winning three times this term. He ran a decent race in defeat last time in handicap company and with more improvement likely to be in the offing he should just score again. Sadler's Star has terms in his favour but is prone to the occasional jumping error and has a bit to prove as far as this trip is concerned. Arkrose was a very easy winner of bumper in Ireland on his only start for George Elliott and joined Oliver Sherwood's yard for a tidy sum. That last run suggests he wants the ground softer but any market support for him here should be noted. A market check is also advised for another jumps debutant in Shannon Bob but even so Mission Control is in a purple patch and should go in again.
Mission Control (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Mid division, went 2nd after 3 out, led after next, headed approaching last, hampered last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Fairoak Lad (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep.
Arkose (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Mid-division on inner, headway into 4th entering straight, soon ridden, kept on well to lead inside final furlong, won at Killarney 2m 1f nhf gs in May beating Lucky William (12-0) by 2l, 18 ran.
Jetlag (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Not fluent, with leader, reminder after 8th, relegated to 3rd before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 27l behind Le Commencement (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Sadler's Star (GER) 15-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, disputed 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, mistake last, no extra, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Carrolls Cross (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Shannon Bob (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 10l behind Friendship Bay (11-4) at Worcester 2m NH flat (5) gs in Oct.
Thenford Duke (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Always in rear, jumped right 3rd, lost touch after next, tailed off 5th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Dabaratsa (10-5) at Worcester 2m 4f sell hdl (5) gs in Jul, 11 ran.
Wee Ziggy 20-1 (9-9) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, 5th of 13, 46l behind Dreams Jewel (11-0) at Stratford 2m ldys hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
