raced keenly, tracked rival, quickened to lead between last 2, ran on well
led, not fluent 3 out, tried to quicken before 2 out, headed and outpaced between last 2, kept on same pace after
CROOKS PEAK won a Listed bumper last year and opened his account over hurdles with a cosy win at Exeter earlier in the month. Philip Hobbs’ charge is penalised for that success but there looks to be plenty more to come and he’s preferred to the returning Danny Kirwan. The latter landed a bumper here before struggling in a Grade 2 at Aintree in April but is related to a dual winner over timber and looks a bigger threat on his hurdling bow than Baddesley Prince, who failed to figure at Newbury on his recent debut over obstacles.
Crooks Peak 8-13fav (10-12) Tracked leader to before 2nd, remained close up, challenged 3 out, soon led, not fluent next, ridden out briefly flat, readily, won at Exeter 2m 1f (3) gd in Nov beating Some Day Soon (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
Danny Kirwan (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Held up mid-division, outpaced 3f out, soon beaten, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 17th of 20, dist behind Portrush Ted (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Baddesley Prince (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Jumped slowly 2nd, behind, some late minor headway, 8th of 16, 20 1/4l behind Ecu De La Noverie (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Nov.
