always prominent, joined leader 5th, led 4 out, strongly challenged approaching 2 out, headed when not fluent last, no extra flat
close up, mistake 4 out, effort before 2 out, soon no impression
always behind, struggling 5th, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, headway 3 out, every chance next, led last, ran on well
prominent, hit 2nd, driven 6th, blundered 4 out, weakened next
always behind, under pressure before 5 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway under pressure 3 out, chased leaders next, never on terms
mid-division, weakened before 5 out, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
led, joined 5th, headed 4 out, hit next, soon lost place
Points winner Atlantic Gold should improve with a recent reappearance at Southwell under his belt but Special Wells was tailed off on his return to action. VIVANT POEME did not fare too badly when fifth on his hurdling bow at Fontwell last month and he gets the nod in this ahead of a couple of bumper winners. Gone Forever scored at Catterick in January while Horsted Valley made a winning start in a bumper on the Turf at Southwell in April and both make their hurdling debuts today.
Atlantic Gold (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, kept on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Magna Cartor (11-4) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Capard King (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, progress 5f out, 4th 4f out, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 4th of 19, 16l behind Ground Invasion (12-0) at Tipperary 2m 2f NH flat in May.
Double Risk (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Held up, outpaced over 4f out, well beaten final 3f, last of 10, well behind Duke Des Champs (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (5) gs in Oct.
Gone Forever 9-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, lost place halfway, outpaced over 4f out, headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Monbeg Theatre (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Horsted Valley 5-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, chased leaders before 6f out, ridden before 1f out, led entering final furlong, kept on well, won at Southwell 2m cond NH flat (6) gd in Apr beating Acertain Circus (10-9) by 1l, 11 ran.
Kwo Neshe (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 10th of 12, well behind Otago Trail (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Special Wells 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, well behind Red Tortue (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
Springfield Sprint 8-1 (11-7) Lost tch 9; pu 11, in a race won by Master Tim (12-0) at Melton Hunt Club 2m 4f ptp gd in May, 7 ran.
Spring Steel (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Led until before 4th, weakened quickly approaching 4 out, soon eased, pulled up after next, in a race won by Simply A Legend (11-1) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar, 16 ran.
Vivant Poeme (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 12l behind Miles To Memphis (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Bells Of Castor (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, not jump well, behind from 4th, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Vinnie Red (10-12) at Stratford 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gd in Oct.
