chased leaders, outpaced 5th, driven next, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd 2 out, no impression, not fluent last, weakened flat
took keen hold, led and soon clear, not fluent 4th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, fell last
soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
jumped left 1st, held up in 4th, took keen hold, went 3rd 5th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
chased clear leader, not fluent 3 out, led approaching next, soon in command, comfortably
in rear, not fluent 2nd, behind when blundered 5th, pulled up before 3 out
held up in 5th, hampered 1st, not fluent next, weakened 5th, mistake 3 out, blundered last, tailed off
held up in rear, effort 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, tailed off
HANNICEAN is worth another chance at the likely odds; Calzaghe and Bandanaman head the list of alternatives. Bandanaman showed promise on the Flat as a juvenile but has failed to sparkle in that sphere since. However, as he has previously raced only once over hurdles, the Alan Swinbank-trained gelding is obviously unexposed for the summer jumps season; he is one to seriously monitor in the betting. Calzaghe likes this course and has strong claims on the pick of his efforts. However, he needs a bit more cut in the ground to be seen at his best. James Junior may be the best of the others as he is another that handles this track. But his form is hardly the most inspiring piece of reading material you could delve into. By way of contrast Hannicean looks an interesting type for a race of this nature. He will need to be at the top of his game to master Calzaghe at one of his favourite racecourses. However, the promise of slightly longer odds will be a persuasive factor and will help to make it interesting for those willing to side with Hannicean for a punt in the opener.
Calzaghe (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 5th, chased winner after next until mistake 3 out, weakened next, not fluent last, 3rd of 8, 21l behind Letham Island (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gf.
Hannicean 9-2 (10-12) With leader, led 3rd, clear to 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, 6 lengths down in 2nd and no impression when fell last, in a race won by Gremlin (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in May, 12 ran.
Remark (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 7l behind Colorus (9-5) at Southwell 5f sell stks (6) fbs in Apr (flat).
Treeko (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Tracked leader until 4th, remained close up, ridden and hit 3 out, weakened next, 11th of 12, 26l behind Weststern (10-6) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Bandanaman (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 13, 26l behind Bocamix (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
James Junior 125-1 (10-10) Not fluent, always behind, last of 12, well behind Rubipresent (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Pay The Russian 100-1 (10-10) Pulled hard in touch on outside, mistake 1st, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Sahrati (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd, 13 ran.
Camomile 25-1 (10-1) Raced in mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, last of 10, well behind Arisea (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gf in May.
