close up when inside, ridden 2 out, kept on under pressure to chase winner flat
led, pecked 2 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened last
in touch, mistake 2nd, headway 3 out, challenging when stumbled next, ridden and kept on same pace flat
always towards rear
went prominent 3rd, ridden and effort 2 out, led between last 2, edged left under pressure flat, kept on
chased leaders, reminders 5th, no impression 2 out
always behind
mid-division, effort 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened after next
tracked leader, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last
Fortunate Isle, Cripsey Brook and Nelsons Column look the main protagonists in this maiden hurdle and the narrow vote is given to Fortunate Isle who is given one last chance to get his head in front. The selection has been second on all three of his starts this season but they have been in better races than this, and in the hope that first time cheek-pieces bring about improvement he is taken to score. Cripsey Brook rates the main danger on his latest third behind Albinus but he would be better off with the selection if this were a handicap and he is opposed on that basis. Nelsons Column was a fair third behind Marsam last time and is another with place claims, but the worry is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time. Instant Shot was fourth behind Hopkins last time and would have been closer but for a mistake 2 out, but his best form is with more cut in the ground. Of the others, Jamestown Bay hails from a yard that like a tilt at the ring so he is worth a cautionary look in the market, but for the winner we are happy to return to Fortunate Isle.
Able Dara 14-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, tailed off over 3f out, 12th of 15, well behind Corkage (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nhf (5) gf in Dec.
Apache Fort 100-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, behind from 4th, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Sentry Duty (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Cripsey Brook 16-1 (10-7) Held up behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and kept on, 3rd of 18, 5l behind Albinus (10-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Fortunate Isle (USA) 11-8fav (11-3) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Lazy Darren (10-7) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Indian Pipe Dream (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 14th of 20, 35l behind Kia Kaha (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Instant Shot (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, 4th of 5, 25l behind Hopkins (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Jamestown Bay (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 7th of 15, 14l behind Best Prospect (11-3) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Nelsons Column (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway to chase winner from 3 out, soon ridden, hit 2 out and last, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Marsam (11-13) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Rhine Rewler 250-1 (11-4) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden 5th, never dangerous, last of 16, well behind Kealshore Boy (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Strong Approach (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Always behind, no chance when blundered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Sheikhman (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Treefella (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Towards rear, weakened from 5th, 11th of 17, well behind Striking Article (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 66-1 (9-12) Close up, ridden and weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Scots Dragoon (10-4) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Lyon's Hill 80-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, 12th of 13, well behind Seven Is My Number (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
