chased leaders, hit 6th, went distant 2nd approaching 2 out, tired badly flat, just held on, tailed off
took very keen hold, jumped right, held up, pulled way up to lead after 4th, headed after 6th, weakened quickly next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, slow jump and reminder 6th, soon well behind, tailed off 3 out
held up, headway to go distant 2nd after 3 out, to approaching 2 out, rallied flat, just missed 2nd
keen hold, in touch, ridden 7th, soon struggling, tailed off
led to after 4th, chased leaders, led after 6th, well in command from next, heavily eased flat
jumped badly right 1st, mistake and reminder next, soon 2nd, driven 6th, soon lost place, tailed off
rear, struggling and lost touch after 4th, tailed off when pulled up soon after 6th
LITTLE JOSH is taken to improve for his recent hurdling debut and win this poor contest with Rebeccas Choice cited as the main danger. Little Josh won a couple of soft ground bumpers before being sent hurdling at Chepstow last time where he was second of 16, albeit 24 lengths adrift of the winner. Still, it was not a bad introduction and he clearly has some ability, and now back on slower ground again we will not desert him. Rebeccas Choice is partnered by the champion jockey and she has run with credit in a couple of Plumpton bumpers, including a pipe opener earlier in the month. She will probably come on a fair bit for that and so fitness shouldn't be an issue. If she gets a clear round here then she should go close. Carmond showed some ability in Germany but has looked awkward for Brendan Powell and is best watched at present. Could Be Alright will probably be more attractive in handicaps but we can expect Lennox Gardens to show us more after a quiet enough debut over timber last time. It's really a race to watch but for a token selection we suggest Little Josh.
Carmond (GER) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort after 3 out, weakened after next, 8th of 9, 26l behind Leo's Lucky Star (11-8) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (3) gd.
Chaim (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, jumped right 5th, headway 6th, went 2nd 7th until 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 17, 32l behind Menelaus (11-0) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov '07.
Could Be Alright (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Hit 1st, in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 16, well behind Fair Point (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs.
How Are You Going (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Soon behind and pulled up at the 2nd in race won by Belcantista (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft, 16 ran.
Lennox Gardens 66-1 (11-0) Prominent, led after 1st, slow 2nd and soon headed, weakened 3 out, 6th of 15, 17l behind Secret Tune (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Little Josh (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, went second after 8th, ridden after 4 out, kept on for clear 2nd, soon held by winner, 2nd of 16, 24l behind Pride of Dulcote (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Rebeccas Choice (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leading trio 5f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Balthazar King (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gs.
Thirtythreeblack (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 10, well behind Darstardly Dick (10-9) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
