towards rear, never dangerous
prominent until weakened 4 out
in touch, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on same pace
pulled hard in rear, blundered 2nd, pushed along and headway approaching 2 out, no impression
made all, stayed on strongly
raced keen in mid-division, headway to chase winner halfway until weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
towards rear, struggling from 4 out
towards rear, headway under pressure after 3 out, effort next, kept on one pace
prominent to halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden when mistake 3 out, no extra from next
mid-division, headway when mistake 4 out, ridden 3 out, disputing 2nd last, no extra flat
Precious Dancer, Pearson Glen, Palomar and Little Bob are the four short listed for this big field opener and a chance is taken on Pearson Glen. Jimmy Moffatt's charge puts in some of his best efforts when the ground is quick and was in decent form when last seen out over hurdles, finishing runner up at both Perth and Sedgefield last summer. After a winter break he should strip much fitter for a recent pipe opener on the flat at Pontefract and may just be capable of breaking his duck here. Nicky Richards sends Palomar to a track that the trainer does well at, and this trip will suit. He has enough form on the board to suggest he will be competitive here but he does prefer easier ground and so is opposed. Precious Dancer has time on his side and it is encouraging that he did manage to win a 10 furlong Brighton handicap on the level. That was on firm ground, so he should enjoy this here and now he has a couple of hurdles under his belt he can go much closer this time. Little Bob looks best of the remainder but definitely wants cut and so is overlooked in favour of Pearson Glen, who gets a tentative nod.
Howards Dream (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, outpaced when blundered 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 4th of 7, 23l behind Glingerbank (11-2) at Perth 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Sept.
Little Bob 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 12, 7l behind South O'The Border (11-6) at Perth 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Apr.
Palomar (USA) 9-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway and in touch 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind South O'The Border (11-6) at Perth 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Apr.
Pearson Glen (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Led, hit 3 out, ridden after next, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Little Jimbob (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Sonic Anthem (USA) 25-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, chasing leaders when mistake and weakened 2 out (bbv), 5th of 18, 18l behind Lunar Crystal (11-0) at Ludlow 2m clm hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Precious Dancer 13-2 (10-12) Held up, headway after 6th, ridden when mistake 2 out but one pace, 4th of 8, 7l behind Dariak (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
The Borderer 40-1 (10-8) Always behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by Brave Rebellion (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr, 13 ran.
Turbo Shandy 100-1 (10-8) Held up, weakened from 5th, 9th of 15, 27l behind Young Albert (11-7) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
