towards rear, not trouble leaders
held up, mistake 7th, stayed on and not fluent 3 out, no extra flat
mid-division, weakened 7th
led, hit 3 out, headed when jumping right and stumbled 2 out, weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 4 out, pulled up before last
in touch, chased leader 3 out, led briefly 2 out, one pace
mid-division, some progress 4 out, chased leader 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway after 4 out, soon ridden and one pace from 2 out
held up mid-division, driven for headway 4 out, with leaders 2 out, led last, pushed out
tracked leaders, chased leader 3 out, one pace
Brenin Cwmtudu was an impressive bumper winner last time out and can follow up this afternoon on his hurdles debut, Mealagh Valley and Meersbrook could be the main rivals. The selection will no doubt have been well schooled by the in form Evan Williams and doesn't look to have too much to beat. Meelagh Valley went close in a point to point last season and ran well in an above average bumper at Aintree last month. This trip will hold no fears and he looks to be a major danger. Meersbrook is another former bumper horse that has displayed plenty of ability and trainer Jonathon Geake has to be respected at this track. McGarry's Lane and Prof de L'Isle are from top yards and are worth a look in the betting, but there was plenty to enthuse about success of Brenin Cwmtudu and he gets the vote this afternoon.
Brenin Cwmtudu 2-1fav (10-11) Held up, smooth headway to lead over 2f out, easily, won at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gf beating Award Winning (11-1) by 10l, 6 ran.
Dereks (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Pulled hard, raced wide, held up, headway to track leader after 4f, ridden, weakened over 2f out, eased, last of 6, well behind Shoreacres (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gd.
Huckleberry (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 8th of 15, 31l behind Hills Of Aran (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
Just Smudge 50-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, well behind Souffleur (11-2) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Majy D'auteuil (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened soon after, 10th of 16, 34l behind Saunders Road (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
McGarry's Lane (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 5th of 10, 49l behind Minaad (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
Mealagh Valley (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 5f out, chased winner 2f out, no impression, 2nd of 18, 4l behind Silly Wupple (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in Oct.
Meersbrook (USA) 10-3 (11-2) Held up, headway halfway, ridden to chase winner, close up 3f out, soon held, 2nd of 10, 7l behind The Tother One (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Prof de L'Isle (FR) 40-1 (10-5) Never reached beyond mid-division, 9th of 18, 16l behind Whiteoak (10-5) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) gs in Mar.
Quarry Town (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Held up, struggling 8th, never dangerous, 5th of 13, 32l behind Gone To Lunch (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Maizy Missile (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 6th, one pace, 7th of 16, 32l behind Viper (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Palila 40-1 (10-0) Prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 9, 26l behind Openditch (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf.