held up, mistake 4th, headway 3 out, ridden to lead last, headed and not quicken flat
chased leader from 3rd, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed last, rallied to lead again and edged left flat, ran on
chased leaders to 3rd, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, hit 2nd, ridden 3 out, 4th when beaten, fell last
in touch, headway 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden next, stayed on same pace
led, hit 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Alan King has a couple of useful juveniles on his hands this term and Howle Hill looks as though he could go a long way at this game. A useful handicapper on the flat at up to 10-furlongs (rated 102), he made a successful transition to hurdling when landing a Listed contest earlier this month at Wetherby. Although that may not have been the most competitive contest ever staged, he could do no more than beat his rivals, which he did with authority and with improvement to come, he should prove to classy for his rivals here. German raider After Eight is no mug and made Web Perceptions pull out all the stops at Cheltenham. There was no disgrace in defeat as the winner was completing a three timer over hurdles and although he has been beaten since, After Eight should be the one to chase the selection home. Rated just 47 on the flat, hurdling debutante Penric looks to have plenty on with the main contenders, but he looks the sort to do much better over timber and is one to keep an eye on for the future. Stolen Song didn't get home here earlier this month and will find this too competitive, while Prince Of The Wood will need to improve greatly on his hurdling debut to figure here. Wages will find a race in due course, but it won't be today, but French raider Val Du Bon, third on his only attempt over hurdles in his native country, is difficult to weigh up, but would need to be above average to shake the principals up. Northern raider Space Cowboy, the winner of a maiden at Goodwood could be a lively outsider, but Howle Hill is a class act and should retain his unbeaten record, despite having to give the weight away.
