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Racecards

13:10 Kelso

European Breeders Fund 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier) (Class E)

  • 19 Runners
  • Distance: 2m 2f
  • Going: Soft
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 4m 41.30s
  • 19 Ran
1
Silk - ROYAL BLUE, ORANGE sash, sleeves and cap
  • Form 100-116
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-12

held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on to chase winner last, kept on

2
Silk - Emerald Green, Black Cross of Lorraine, White sleeves, Black and Emerald Green hooped cap
  • Form 1-1
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-8

held up towards rear, headway halfway, challenged 3 out, led next, ran on strongly

3
Silk - EMERALD GREEN, YELLOW sash and star on cap
66/1
  • Form 52P0
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-2

towards rear never dangerous

4
Silk - Dark Blue, Red stripe, halved sleeves, Red cap
  • Form 0-0
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-2

towards rear never dangerous

5
Silk - Light Blue, Light Blue sleeves, Dark Blue diamonds, Light Blue cap, Dark Blue diamond
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-2

mid-division, headway 4 out, effort approaching 2 out, 5th and beaten when fell last

6
Silk - Black, White braid and sleeves, Black cap
100/1
  • Form 3-0
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-2

with leader, led halfway, headed 3 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up flat

7
Silk - Dark Blue, Lilac sleeves, Lilac and White quartered cap
16/1
  • Form 1-6
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-2

in touch, closed up halfway, led 3 out, headed next, one pace under pressure

8
Silk - Red, Black braces, Black sleeves, Red armlets, White cap
  • Form 5
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-2

towards rear never dangerous

9
Silk - Yellow, Emerald Green cross belts
  • Form 40
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-2

in touch, headway 4 out, effort approaching 2 out, kept on one pace

10
Silk - BEIGE, BROWN hooped sleeves, ORANGE cap
  • Form 5
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-2

in touch, headway halfway to track leaders, every chance 3 out, no extra after next

11
Silk - Emerald green, yellow sash, black and red striped cap
100/1
  • Age 5
  • Weight 11-2

towards rear, outpaced halfway

12
Silk - MAROON, WHITE hooped sleeves
100/1
  • Age 5
  • Weight 11-2

tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out

13
Silk - DARK BLUE, RED chevron, WHITE cap

Upswing

10
100/1
  • Form 00P-040
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-2

pulled hard, soon mid-division, headway halfway, challenged 3 out, every chance when mistake next, weakened

14
Silk - White, Dark Blue hoop, hooped sleeves and cap

Weldman

27
66/1
  • Form 46
  • Age 5
  • Weight 11-2

towards rear never dangerous

15
Silk - Dark Blue, Red sash, Light Blue cap
100/1
  • Form 550-P0
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-2

tracked leaders, weakened quickly halfway

16
Silk - Red and White diamonds, Royal Blue sleeves, Royal Blue cap, Red diamond
  • Form 3-1
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-2

towards rear, headway halfway, effort after 3 out, weakening when mistake last

17
Silk - BLACK, WHITE sleeves, WHITE cap, BLACK spots
100/1
  • Form 00-0
  • Age 7
  • Weight 10-11

led, headed halfway, mistake 6th soon weakened

18
Silk - Maroon, Yellow Cross of Lorraine and star on cap
  • Form 50
  • Age 6
  • Weight 10-11

towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out

19
Silk - Red, large Emerald Green spots, Grey sleeves, Red spots, Emerald Green and Red quartered cap
100/1
  • Form 0PP
  • Age 5
  • Weight 10-11

mid-division, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out

In depth

Verdict

Steppes of Gold looked the part at Haydock last month and can remain unbeaten at the expense of Your A Gassman and Patriarch Express. Although the Nicky Richards stable has not been setting the world alight, Steppes of Gold continued where he had left off when hacking up on his debut over hurdles in December. Taking the lead up three out, he won with the minimum of fuss, adding to his earlier success on his racecourse bow at Newcastle. It will take a smart one to lower his colours here and he looks a worthy favourite despite having to shoulder a penalty. Patriarch Express mixed it with the best in bumpers, finishing in mid-division behind Liberman at the Festival, and on the back of two confidence boosting successes over timber at Newcastle and Haydock, was sent back to Cheltenham in December but disappointed over what may have been too long a trip. He too has a penalty to shoulder but will be a danger. Your A Gassman won in a canter at Southwell last May but has a long absence to overcome on his hurdles debut. Of the rest, a close eye should be kept on the market for the chances of Len Lungo's pair Ghost Rider and Mr Auchterlonie, while Flight Command, who beat Your A Gassman last season, is another to consider for a place. However, the one that they all have to beat is Steppes of Gold who can make it three out of three before being aimed higher.