held up, smooth headway and in touch 3 out, no impression when shaken up approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out
held up towards rear, tracked leaders halfway, smooth headway to lead 2 out, driven out flat
led 2nd, still headed 7th, weakened from next
tracked leaders until weakened 4 out
mid-division and keen early, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, keen early, smooth headway to lead 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon headed and one pace
tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 4 out
led until headed 2nd, lost touch from halfway
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, beaten when fell next
Nonrunner
Division two of the novice hurdle and it does not look as strong as the first division. PAKINEO DES PICTONS is given the vote to win it as he takes a marked step up in trip here following his seasonal debut over six furlongs shorter three weeks ago. A soft ground bumper winner at Hexham 12 months ago, he was well-backed to win on his seasonal debut but he lacked the tactical speed to maintain his challenge over the last three furlongs. Ferdy Murphy has yet to saddle a winner this month but a couple have run well in recent days. Howard Johnson reportedly thinks highly of Teenage Idol who won a junior bumper in very testing conditions on debut. He looked to have been outpaced in the winners bumper at Ayr's Scottish Grand National meeting before running on once again in the closing stages. Grand Theatre has shown some promise in two soft ground bumper runs, finishing runner-up on debut. Comhla Ri Coig indicated some promise on debut in a fast ground bumper earlier in the year. Pakineo des Pictons is selected on the basis that he should relish the step up in trip and has had a recent pipeopener.
Comhla Ri Coig 40-1 (11-0) In touch, chased leader 5f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 15, 20l behind Dave's Dream (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd in May '07.
Fishing Instructor 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, effort 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, well behind Charity Lane (10-13) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Grand Theatre (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 6f out, one pace final 3f, 4th of 11, well behind Charity Lane (10-13) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Hurricane Warning (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Prominent, every chance 4 out, soon ridden and weakened from next, 7th of 15, 20l behind Oh Yah Dancer (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jul.
Kings Guard (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, driven 7f out, soon lost place, 11th of 15, 45l behind Touch of Irish (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Pakineo des Pictons (FR) 4-1 (11-0) In touch, outpaced from 3 out, 4th of 15, 26l behind Doeslessthanme (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Teenage Idol (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place halfway, headway over 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, 4th of 15, 9l behind Conflictofinterest (11-2) at Ayr 2m nhf (3) gd in Apr.
The Maystone (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) In rear and mistakes, struggling from 9th, soon tailed off, last of 8, well behind Hot Weld (11-9) at Perth 3m hdl (E) gf in May '05.
Uncle Michael 250-1 (11-2) Always behind, blundered 2nd, tailed off when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Crocodiles Rock (11-2) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Oct, 10 ran.
Lady Chatelaine (IRE) 80-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 12th of 16, 23l behind Jass (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct '07.
Bobby Icata 200-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Saucy Bingo (11-9) at Newcastle 3m cnd nov hcp hdl (5) hvy in Apr, 14 ran.
