always behind, tailed off and pulled up before last
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 5th
mid-division, ridden approaching 5th, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4th, mistake next, ridden approaching 2 out, went 2nd at last, kept on
towards rear when pulled up before 3rd
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leader until after 5th, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before last
in touch, went 2nd ater 5th, led 2 out, ridden out
always towards rear, never troubled leaders
led, headed and blundered 2 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
keen hold in touch, mistake 2nd, headway 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, ridden approaching 5th, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened 3 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
After all the small fields in National Hunt races in recent weeks it makes a pleasant change to see 86 runners declared for the seven races on Huntingdon's card. No fewer than 18 are due to line up for this, the first division of the novices' hurdle where there is the usual mixture of flat recruits and jump-bred horses participating. Willoughby's Boy, an 87-rated horse at his best on the flat (ended last season on a mark of 67), is one of the more interesting newcomers. However, Ben Hanbury's five-year-old can be a difficult ride, does not always find much and may be a doubtful stayer over hurdles. A similar comment could apply to Michael Wigham's Loner although a market move for him would be interesting. Sprint-bred Canovas Kingdom and the five-year-old maiden Stromdancer are others best left alone on their hurdling debuts. Of more interest is Golden Rod. A multiple winner on the level when with Peter Harris, he is sure to have been well schooled for his debut over hurdles by new trainer Kim Bailey. Nicky Henderson's Spring Dawn has shown ability in four starts in bumper company and warrants consideration now that he goes over timber but the son of Arzanni may do better over further. The New Zealand-bred Hakim lost no caste in defeat on his British debut when second to Shamsan at Southwell and is open to improvement but the one that gets the TEAMtalk vote is Terek. A winner on the flat in his native Germany, the son of Irish River ran an encouraging race on his debut in this country when finding just Cybele Eria too good at Hereford. Although subsequently disappointing at Aintree, Richard Phillips has his team in better form now and we take him to fulfil earlier promise.
