held up, headway after 5th, in mid-division when fell 6th
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression approaching next
chased leaders until pushed along approaching 6th, soon lost place, tailed off
hung badly left throughout, tracked leaders and keen, led 3 out, under pressure from next, ridden out
held up in mid-division, headway to chase winner approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from last
held up mid-division, reminders 7th, ridden approaching next, no impression from 2 out, weakened and eased from last
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, no impression after 2 out
held up behind, ridden approaching 3 out, some headway approaching next, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, pushed along and mistake 6th, headed next, weakened from 3 out
always in rear, lost place 3rd, soon reminders, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
A run-of-the-mill novices' hurdle in which Just The Jobe and Meggies Lad stand out. The pair have comparable form in novice events and both are rated head and shoulders above their rivals in terms of official marks. You pay your money and you make your choice, and ours is Meggies Lad, who can at last get his head in front. Of the others, Fifty Franks has shown promise in bumpers while High Rank has shown promise over hurdles but will need to settle better if he is to fulfil his potential. It might pay to keep half an eye on the betting with regard to Mr Phipps, Bella Mary has the odd bit of form to her name and Nigel Twiston-Davies' Baron Windrush is surely better than he has so far shown. However, overall, on what we know, Just The Jobe and Meggies Lad look to have it between them, with the vote going to Meggies Lad.
