held up in touch, smooth headway to track leaders approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, drew upside on bit last, soon led, cheekily
always behind
in touch, chased leaders until 7th, under pressure and weakened soon after 3 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon outpaced and no chance with front pair, but kept on for clear 3rd
always behind
behind, lost touch after 7th, held off and pulled up before 2 out
behind, lost touch and no chance 7th, pulled up before last
held up, headway from 5th, chased leaders after 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, stayed on under pressure from after 3 out, never reached leaders
in touch, struggling and behind from 7th, pulled up before last
held up in rear, ridden and no chance before 3 out
with leaders, led narrowly 3 out, ridden and pressed from 2 out, joined by easy winner last, soon headed, kept on, no chance
narrow lead to 3rd, stayed handy until ridden and weakened 3 out
chased leaders, under pressure 3 out and soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
raced keenly, with leaders, made most from 3rd, narrowly headed 3 out, chased leader to 2 out, weakening when hit last
prominent to 4th, soon behind
This is a cracking handicap hurdle in which Temoin, In Media Res and New Entic look to be the leading lights with the vote going to Temoin. The selection was a fair sort on the flat over in France and he has already shown himself to be quite useful over hurdles with two wins from his two races to date. He won well at Sandown last time when beating Oscatello and he could not have been any more impressive that day. He looks as though he could have a big future in this sphere and he should take plenty of beating. In Media Res will have his ground conditions to suit here and he was a decent second behind Lunar Crystal at Wincanton last time. However, he looks to be Nicky Henderson's second string in this contest, although a watching brief on the market is advised. New Entic could not have been any more impressive than when winning in the mud at Sandown last time. He has form on this ground as well but he is not the most consistent and he does have a penalty for his most recent success. Screenplay has ground conditions to suit and he won over this course and distance last time when beating Shining Strand. That was a decent effort but this looks more difficult and for that reason we will take him on. Day Of Claies won well last time out with the first-time blinkers on so he is another to consider. However, for the winner we will return to Temoin who may win this before going on to better things.
Temoin 8-1 (11-2) Close up, tracked leading pair from 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, going easily last, shaken up to lead run-in, not extended, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb beating Oscatello (10-11) by 2l, 14 ran.
Papini (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out, 11th of 15, well behind Hoh Viss (10-11) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
New Entic (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Raced wide, keen hold early, led before 2 out, soon in command, clear and eased flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb beating Youlbesolucky (11-2) by 4l, 8 ran.
In Media Res (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced 2 out, kept on well from last to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Noble Request (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Widemouth Bay (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 7th, led approaching 3 out, ridden next, in 3rd and held when fell at the last in race won by Hoh Viss (10-11) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Ostfanni (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, shaken up approaching 2 out, ran on flat, 4th of 13, 7l behind The Market Man (11-10) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Nov.
Mister Mustard (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up , headway from 3 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Gods Token (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Screenplay 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on, driven out, won at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov beating Shining Strand (11-3) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Bengo (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, ridden and lost place 3 out, 11th of 20, 36l behind Olaso (10-13) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Day Of Claies (FR) 10-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, headway 11th, led after 3 out, ridden next, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb beating Euro American (11-12) by 4l, 11 ran.
Regents Walk (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Always behind, last of 20, well behind No Refuge (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd.
Jaunty Times 9-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, weakened after 7th, soon eased, 8th of 11, 38l behind Kilgowan (11-8) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Feb.
October Mist (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Prominent until weakened 4 out, 8th of 10, 24l behind Euro American (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Anatar (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace last, 5th of 12, 12l behind Pretty Star (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gd in Dec.
Etendard Indien (FR) 12-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 15l behind Go For Bust (11-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
Predator (GER) 11-4fav (10-10) Chased leaders, every chance from 3 out, ridden 2 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Prairie Moonlight (11-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Jan.
Hi Fi 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, mistake 4th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 19l behind Marrel (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Be My Destiny (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) In rear, mistake 9th, weakened 11th, pulled up before 4 out pulled up in race won by Glacial Delight (11-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan, 15 ran.