close up, led 7th, ridden approaching last, kept on, headed towards finish
in rear, tailed off after 5th, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, took closer order after 5th, led next, headed 7th, every chance last, no extra flat
held up, headway after 3 out, one pace from last
held up in touch weakened approaching 7th
held up in touch, weakened 7th
held up, ridden and weakened 3 out
led to 6th, weakened after 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
Ballybriggan's bumper form doesn't look out of the ordinary and so a chance is taken on TRUE ILLUSION ahead of Hudibras and City Theatre. The selection is a former Irish point-to-point winner who comes here on the back of a fairly modest run at Aintree last month. She was never going to be a player on that speed track over that trip however and much better is expected today as she steps up in trip for this hurdling debut. Marie De Laufon has shaped with promise in two bumper runs but this looks a tough ask and the more experienced Quelbal looks the stable's main hope, The Quiet King only made it to the second flight of hurdles on his debut, whilst Edge Of Town's debut behind Benbane Head catches the eye. Hudibras was well-fancied last time out at Ludlow but put in a tepid performance; much better is needed today if he is to feature but he looks the sort to make an impact over hurdles. City Theatre looks the pick of the Jonjo O'Neill-trained pair; his bumper form was strong and although he has struggled to make a real impact in two hurdles runs, he can only improve with experience. Ballybriggan is a horse of plenty of potential and this son of leading sire Flemensfirth must be considered of interest if attracting any market support on his hurdling bow. An open heat, but preference is for True Illusion.
Ballybriggan (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) In touch, headway 6f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 3f out, ran on well, won at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar beating Mr Syntax (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Carraigh Na Loine 18-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, ridden along over 4f out, soon struggling, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Nodforms Violet (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
City Theatre (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Pressed leader to 4th, lost place before next, headway 7th, no impression in 4th before 3 out, 4th of 11, 11l behind Moleskin (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hdl (3) hvy.
Edge of Town (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Mid-division, outpaced 6f out, headway well over 1f out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Jubilee Queen (10-8) at Bangor 2m 1f cond & am NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Hudibras (IRE) 15-8fav (11-3) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 13, 27l behind Benleigh (10-12) at Ludlow 2m NH flat (5) gd in Apr.
Quartz Dore (FR) Northern Park gelding out of Fanfare V.
Quelbal (FR) 28-1 (10-7) Towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Slip (10-9) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct, 13 ran.
The Quiet King 22-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, fell 4th, in a race won by I'll Be Frank (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Marie De Laufon (FR) 10-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 17, 10l behind Knockaveen (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f N H flat (6) gd in Oct.
True Illusion 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, lost place over 4f out, soon weakened, 13th of 17, 38l behind Solway Sam (11-2) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
