mid-division, not fluent 1st, ridden 3 out, never on tems with leaders, no impression approaching 2 out
prominent, ridden after 5th, every chance 3 out, jumped left and weakened 2 out
mid-division, pulled hard, blundered 2nd, headway approaching 5th, weakened before 2 out, eased, mistake last
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, led 3 out, ridden after next, ran on
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, close 3rd 2 out, weakened flat
took keen hold, led and jumped left 2nd, went left next, headed soon after, led 4th, soon ridden, headed 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, lost place approaching 5th, rallied before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway after 5th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression flat, stayed on same pace
in rear, behind 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
not jump well, behind after 3rd, tailed off
held up in rear, headway when mistake 3 out, went 3rd approaching last, hung left and no impression flat
took keen hold, led until after 1st, led after 3rd until slowed up markedly 4th, weakened after 5th
Nonrunner
This isn't the strongest maiden hurdle of the year by any means and it provides SPENT with a good opportunity to score, possibly at the main expense of Haarth Sovereign and Red Rouble. Alison Thorpe has her string in decent enough order which only goes to strengthen the case for 120-rated Spent, whose second to On Borrowed Wings at Ffos Las reads as the best form on offer. It's a concern that the gelding's subsequent two displays haven't lived up to that promise, but this rates as a step down in class and better can be expected. Haarth Sovereign rates a very real danger having run with great credit on his debut over timber. That race was surely stronger than this one and if any improvement is drawn from it he'd go very close; it is worth noting this one's flat form is some way superior to that of Spent, but he may not be quite so at home on the soft ground. The remainder have to improve upon their form to take this but Red Rouble is possibly the one most likely to do so. Nigel Twiston-Davies has had a few winners lately following a poor spell and his charge should relish cut in the ground. On a form line through Sir Kezbaah who beat him 21 lengths he's plenty to do with Haarth Sovereign, but the market should be noted for an indication that he's come on at home. You Never Said fell when last seen in December and needs to leave that laboured display behind, so of more interest at prices are hurdling debutants General Ting and Theonebox. The former is now in the care of Lucy Wadham having been with Sir Mark Prescott on the flat, when he ran well off marks in the 70's. Again with him the concern is soft ground, but he may have enough latent ability to grab a place if taking to hurdles at the first time of asking. Similarly, Theonebox must enter calculations at some level as a reasonable handicapper on the flat, but once more he surely will be better for a sounder surface. Savaronola needs a market check but can't be recommended on what he's shown so far, so we'll return to the solid form credentials of Spent who gets our vote.
Amwell Brave 25-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, never in contention, 8th of 12, 25l behind Keki Buku (11-5) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Filun 66-1 (11-4) Held up in midfield, headway 4th, pushed along in 4th place after 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 11, 35l behind General Kutuzov (11-4) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
General Ting (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Held up in last pair, ridden on inside over 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 7l behind Bollin Judith (8-3) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct (flat).
Haarth Sovereign (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, hit 3 out, led before 2 out, headed flat, not quicken, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Whistlejacquet (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
King of Rhythm (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 7l behind Saddlers Bend (8-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol (flat).
Mandalay Prince 28-1 (8-11) In rear, headway to mid-division halfway, ridden and weakened 3f out, 8th of 13, 22l behind Bivouac (9-0) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb (flat).
Red Rouble (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) Not fluent, not much room and mistake 1st, in touch, lost place before 5th, mistake next, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 42l behind Black Jack Blues (11-3) at Ludlow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Savaronola (USA) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leader to 5th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Cheshire Prince (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Ten Pole Tudor 17-2 (9-0) Held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders halfway, driven to challenge over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Positivity (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb (flat).
Theonebox (USA) 66-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 27l behind Snow Bay (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec (flat).
Truly Divine 3-1fav (8-13) Reared leaving stalls, took keen hold, always behind, last of 11, 7l behind Mr Funshine (9-0) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Feb (flat).
You Never Said (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Prominent, chased leader approaching 4th, ridden approaching 2 out in 4th and well held when fell last, in a race won by Surprise Pension (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec '08, 16 ran.
Jiminor Mack 12-1 (8-7) Keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Denton (9-6) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Aug (flat).
Spent 50-1 (11-2) Close up, went 2nd 3rd, led 5th to 3 out, weakened quickly soon after, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Qozak (11-10) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
We're Delighted 25-1 (11-4) Took keen hold in mid-division, blundered 3rd, headway 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, 49l behind Zen Factor (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Always The Sun 25-1 (8-5) Refused to race, in a race won by Cashpoint (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb, 9 ran (flat).
