led, headed 2nd tracked leader, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up next
in touch in rear, pushed along 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, hit 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off
led 2nd, ridden 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace
keen close up, headway and every chance 3 out, led next, ridden and ran on (first hurdle in back straight omitted on both circuits)
prominent, hit 4 out, ridden to chase winner last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, tired and blundered badly next
The winning run of Malangen came to end at Kempton last time when upped in grade and he may find one to good here in the form of PETITE JACK. Neil King's gelding is a useful dual purpose performer and his trademark turn of foot was in evidence at Wincanton earlier this month when quickening away to land a first hurdling success. He has ground conditions to suit and will surely be competitive if handling his first try at this longer trip. Northern Bound is hard to assess after a handful of starts but is respected and it's worth keeping a close watch in the market on Thibault, who remains thoroughly unexposed after just three hurdling attempts.
Northern Bound (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Raced keenly, tracked leaders on outside, weakened on long run before 2 out, 5th of 9, dist behind Pym (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gs in Jan.
Petite Jack 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leader, mistake 4 out, every chance 2 out, led approaching and not fluent last, hung left closing stages, ran on, won at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gf in May beating Rowley Park (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Lazarus (IRE) 18-1 (12-1) Towards rear, pushed along 3 out, never near leaders, 6th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Sid Hoodie (11-4) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Malangen (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, blundered 3 out, soon lost place, no impression from next, 5th of 8, 13l behind Neverbeen To Paris (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
Thibault 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 5th, no impression after, 7th of 11, 32l behind Bright Forecast (11-4) at Leicester 2m (3) gd in Dec.
The Groovy Hoovy 7-1 (11-5) In touch on outside, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off from next, 4th of 8, dist behind The Drone (11-7) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
The Lincoln Lawyer 14-1 (10-13) Held up behind, not fluent 4 out, soon outpaced, hampered next, driven to chase front trio before 2 out, kept on same pace, never able to challenge, 4th of 8, 15l behind Magical Thomas (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
