behind when mistake 1st, headway into mid-division next, lost place 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
in touch, went 2nd 3 out, led before next, 4 lengths clear last, ridden and held on flat
in rear, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden and outpaced next, no impression approaching last
behind, some headway under pressure 3 out, no impression from next
led and clear to 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened
held up, mistake 2nd, headway 3 out, chased winner before next, 4 lengths down when mistake last, kept on under pressure flat
in touch, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
tracked clear leader to 3 out, ridden next, kept on under pressure flat
HERSCHEL is given the vote to win first time of asking over hurdles, while both Strikemaster and Abu Dubai are worthy of respect. The selection has a record of one win from nine outings on the Flat earning himself a respectable rating of 76 for Gary Moore. He finished fourth of 11 at Newbury last time out over a mile and a quarter and should stay this relatively easy two mile trip over hurdles. He looks the form pick on his Flat form and, as long as he stays and jumps well, he will have every chance of landing this juvenile event. Strikemaster has only moderate Flat form and was winless after thirteen attempts. That said he did catch the eye when finishing third of 17 in a competitive handicap at Chepstow last month and if he can translate that form over hurdles he will not be too far away. Abu Dubai ran a personal best to finish third in a fillies handicap at Wolverhampton in April. She is only lightly raced and her trainer Andy Haynes is a trainer going places so any market moves should be noted, however, Herschel was a class above his rivals on the level and, given a clear round, he will prove difficult to beat.
Dollar Express (USA) 6-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, led over 5f out, ridden and headed 3f out, soon driven along and weakened, 4th of 9, 17l behind Fin Vin De Leu (8-6) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fbs in Mar (flat).
Herschel (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden and hung right from 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge, 4th of 11, 3l behind Strathcal (9-4) at Newbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf (flat).
Irish Saint (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Tracked leader, not fluent 5th, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after next, in a race won by Rupestrian (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf, 8 ran.
Orsippus (USA) 5-2fav (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 14, 13l behind Chantilly Dancer (8-2) at Yarmouth 1m 1f 3yo sll (6) gd (flat).
Saffron's Son (IRE) 12-1 (8-2) In rear, headway on inside from 3f out, soon driven along, kept on and edged left to take moderate 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Taste The Wine (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf (flat).
Strevelyn 80-1 (10-12) Raced keenly and soon led, clear 3rd to after 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, well behind Rupestrian (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Strikemaster (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung left from over 1f out and stayed on, 3rd of 17, 2 3/4l behind Taste The Wine (9-0) at Chepstow 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May (flat).
Abu Dubai (IRE) 9-4 (8-3) Behind in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, 5th of 8, 12l behind Dome Rocket (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo clm stks (6) pol (flat).
Marillos Proterras 28-1 (8-4) Chased leader, lost place over 3f out, no danger after, 10th of 17, 20l behind Just Five (8-12) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) sft in May (flat).
Pure Crystal 17-2 (8-6) Close up, chased leader 10f out, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 6l behind Excelsior Academy (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft (flat).
