tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 7th, led again approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, kept on run-in
left leaders 2nd, headed next, tracked leaders, mid-division and ridden approaching 11 and no impression until kept on run-in
mid-division, tracked leaders approaching 3 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace
towards rear, mid-division halfway, ridden 11th, weakened 2 out
towards rear, mid-division halfway, tracked leaders and ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace
mid-division, lost place and ridden 10th, beaten from next
held up, mid-division 4, led 7th, headed approaching 3 out, soon ridden, every chance when blundered last, no extra run-in
towards rear, hit 8th, lost touch 11th
tracked leaders, hampered 2nd, lost place halfway, lost touch from 11th
led until fell 2nd
Prince of Slane gets the vote in this handicap hurdle with Magnificent Seven and Noir Et Vert the others to consider. The selection is a progressive type and he won well over the bigger obstacles when last seen out. He has yet to win over hurdles but he has his gound today and he gets on well with Dougie Costello so he looks to have solid claims. Magnificent Seven is another who likes a fast surface and like our selection he also won well over fences when last seen out in January. However, he needed his first run last season to get him right and on that basis we will oppose him today. Noir Et Vert does have the benefit of a recent run so he should have the fitness edge on some of his rivals but it remains to be seen whether he has trained-on after a moderate effort on his return. Talarive is not the most reliable but he will get maximum assistance from Stephen Craine in the saddle and he could go well at a price. However, for the winner we will nominate Prince Of Slane to open his account over hurdles.
Noir Et Vert (FR) 2-1fav (11-5) Held up behind, headway 7th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 11, 22l behind Gidam Gidam (11-7) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Talarive (USA) 14-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, 3 lengths down and ridden when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Billy Bush (10-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd, 10 ran.
Powerlove (FR) 10-3fav (10-6) Mid-division, outpaced from 7th, ridden and beaten from 3 out, 7th of 10, well behind Billy Bush (10-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Kidithou (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off, last of 8, 27l behind Theatre Knight (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Magnificent Seven (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on gamely to lead run-in, won at Musselburgh 3m nov chs (4) gf in Jan beating Not A Trace (11-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
Crackleando 16-1 (10-4) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, kept on flat, never troubled leader, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Windy Hills (11-10) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Silver Seeker (USA) 9-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, pushed along after 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 41l behind Silken Pearls (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Mar.
Prince of Slane 8-1 (9-13) Held up, headway 17th, led 2 out, stayed on well, won at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan beating Harlov (10-2) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
