held up in touch, tracked leaders 4th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
with leader, led 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, not pace of winner
held up in touch, hampered 4th, soon chasing leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
led, headed 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after next
tracked leaders, fell 4th
held up in touch, hard ridden and chased leaders approaching 2 out, not pace to challenge
A disappointing turn out for this hastily arranged contest but connections of PUNJABI will be delighted with Treaty Flyer and Border Castle likeliest to chase him home. This contest makes scant appeal as a betting medium but it will serve the purpose admirably as far as Punjabi's Champion Hurdle aspirations are concerned as he has his first start since chasing home Medermit at Haydock. The conditions may not be ideal, this is a stepping stone to next month and he's notoriously difficult to get fit at home so there is half a chance that he could get turned over as he did in his Cheltenham prep race last season. Border Castle is not without a chance on the figures but he's been lightly raced in recent times so there has to be some doubt as to whether he can run up to his best on the back of an absence. Mon Michel is also embarking on a new campaign so the best forecast option could be Treaty Flyer who comes here fit and well but she's rarely asked to run on ground as bad as this and shouldn't trouble Punjabi.
Punjabi 5-6fav (11-12) Chased leader who was clear until before 5th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed when not fluent last, no impression final 150 yards, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Medermit (11-8) at Haydock 2m hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan.
Border Castle 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 22nd of 24, 44l behind Blue Bajan (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May '08.
Mon Michel (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Took keen hold in touch, effort 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, well behind Deep Purple (11-0) at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) gs in Nov '08.
Spider Boy 8-1 (10-8) Chased leader, led 3rd to 5th, outpaced from 3 out, 3rd of 6, 27l behind Timetoring (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Treaty Flyer (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, every chance approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 10l behind Zarinava (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hdl G2 (1) gs.
Supernoverre (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) In touch, driven and headway approaching last, soon chasing winner, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Spunk (11-0) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
