pulled hard, held up last, tailed off 10th, mistake 13th, pulled up before 4 out
prominent early, in touch, mistake 3rd, struggling after 9th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led to 7th, remained prominent, weakened after 13th, mistake 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 10th, went 2nd after 13th, upside winner when fell 4 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 10th, weakening when mistake 4 out
chased leader to 3rd, led 7th, strongly pressed when left to clear 4 out, mistake 3 out, easily
mid-division, headway 9th (water), led 2nd when hampered 4 out, no impression
held up in rear, effort 13th, went moderate 3rd when blundered 3 out
prominent, not fluent 9th (water), weakened approaching 4 out, blundered 3 out
in touch, jumped slowly 9th (water), soon weakened, tailed off
An interesting beginners chase with some potentially decent novice chasers lining up here. Fitness does have to be taken on trust with the majority of them but PRINCE DU SEUIL is given the hopeful nomination. The winner of a Warwick novice hurdle in March on soft ground, his undoing in his races has been his tendency to race keenly which is a concern coming here fresh off a break. He continually shaped as one that would come into his own when tackling fences and over trips in excess of two miles and with that now provided to him, he looks the one to beat providing he jumps adequately and reports are positive from the schooling ground on that score. Felinious has won four of her last five races, three of those coming at this stage last season. Her best form is on quick surfaces and as she has winning form when coming off breaks, she looks a danger to all. Charlie Mann has his string in fine shape and the trainer has continually stated that he thinks a lot of Shining Gale, who was the best of these over hurdles. Operated on during the winter months for his wind, Shining Gale finished off last season by finishing mid-division in two ultra-competitive handicap hurdles. The handicapper probably over reacted to his run behind the classy Forest Pennant in a novice hurdle and scuppered any chance he had of picking up a handicap hurdle in the spring. Muhtenbar is a maiden after 15 attempts over fences and although some of those were decent contests, he looks rather one-paced. Pop finished a long way adrift of Shining Gale in that novice hurdle won by Forest Pennant. Space Mission, a half-brother to Bellator is another that should come into his own over fences but Prince Du Seuil is the selection.
Fort Augustus (USA) 50-1 (11-3) Led, clear 5th, weakened quickly and headed approaching 10th and pulled up at the 10th in race won by The Jolly Spoofer (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf, 12 ran.
High Skies 25-1 (11-10) Soon chased leaders, 6th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 14l behind Dancing Hero (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chs gs.
Muhtenbar 7-2 (11-0) Prominent, chased clear leader after 5th, effort 3 out, weakened before last, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Cape Greko (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m beg chs (4) gd in May.
Pop (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Pterodactyl (11-0) by 2l, 14 ran.
Prince du Seuil (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Theatre Belle (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Shining Gale (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened before next, 10th of 17, 9l behind Majaales (11-1) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Space Mission (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, ridden 3 out, every chance approaching last, one pace flat, 4th of 12, 4l behind dhtrs Prince Taime (11-5) & Matuhi (11-5) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Will The Till 7-2co-fav (11-0) Held up, headway 7th, chased winner from approaching 2 out, no chance, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Archimboldo (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Felinious 5-2jt-fav (11-10) Made all, driven after 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May beating Mr Boo (11-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Queen Excalibur 7-2 (9-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led going well 2 out, shaken up and pressed when blundered last, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Fair Shake (10-8) at Stratford 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Aug.
Quillan Hill 5-1 (12-0) Led, not fluent 2nd, went badly right 5th, headed 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 9, well behind Theatre Girl (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
