held up, ridden and hit 2 out, one pace
tracked leader, led 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace flat
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened next
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up, pushed along 5th, headway 3 out, one pace and no impression from next
led to 4th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, blundered last, ridden clear, flat
held up towards rear and keen, headway 5th, ridden to challenge 2 out, mistake next, one pace, flat
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden next, hit last, kept on to chase winner flat, no impression
Howard Johnson has done well with his flat recruits this term and looks to have found a decent opportunity for Thistle to open his account at the first time of asking, which he is taken to do at the main expense of Goblin and Hattington. The last mentioned was rated 62 at his best on the flat and looks sure to win a small race over hurdles judged by his debut second behind Dawton at Perth. Thistle was rated more than a stone better on the level though and the former John Gosden-trained inmate is sure to have been well schooled. Ferdy Murphy's string continue in good from so Spiders Web has to be respected along with George Moore's Pontefract maiden winner Aspara. Quarry Island has shown ability in all three starts over hurdles and is another to consider although a bigger danger is likely to come from Goblin, who stepped up on previous efforts when finding just Prairie Sun too good at Catterick last time. Thistle represents top connections who have made a habit of winning novice hurdles with similar types and he is hard to oppose.
