made all, ridden and under pressure from 2 out, hard ridden flat, all out
held up, mistake 2nd, headway to go 3rd approaching 6th, weakened 3 out
held up and keen, soon tracking leaders, weakened when mistake and unseated rider 6th
held up in touch, soon tracking leaders, chased leading pair from 3 out, no impression
tracked winner, hit 3 out, ridden and every chance from 2 out until held towards finish
BENCH WARRENT is the selection with Wychwoods Legend and Charlingworth as the others worthy of interest. The former pointer has taken some time to adjust to life under rules but his recent run behind Thetwincamdrift was given a significant boost a the weekend and with a lack of credible opposition, he is accordingly recommended. Wychwoods Legend won a Kempton hurdle in decent style. She probably beat trees on that occasion but there is every chance that she will progress again. Charingworth has always struck as needing a little more time. Anything achieved before a chasing career should be regarded as a bonus. Punjabi Army never built upon the promise of a Huntingdon bumper but the fact we haven't seen him for some time suggests that there may have been training troubles. Paradigm Investor made three inauspicious starts in bumpers so the jury is out on hurdling debut. Bench Warrent gets the nod.
Bench Warrent (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Led, headed and hit last, no extra, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Thetwincamdrift (11-0) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Charingworth (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, jumped right 1st, wide approaching 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Kilvergan Boy (11-4) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Paradigm Investor (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, 15th of 18, well behind Noble Alan (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Nov '07.
Punjabi Army 22-1 (10-12) Held up, reminders 4th, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 10, 44l behind Border Fox (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec '07.
Wychwoods Legend 8-1 (11-9) In touch, headway 8th, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on gamely from last, driven out, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan beating Clyffe Hanger (10-13) by 2l, 19 ran.