behind, mistake 4th, effort 4 out, soon ridden and weakened next
chased leaders, upsides 4 out, led narrowly next, challenged and led narrowly next, slight lead last, driven and held on under pressure to hold dead heat on line
jumped poorly in rear, tailed off 5th
raced mid-division, ridden and effort 4 out, weakened soon after next
held up towards rear, bumped and hampered 6th, headway to chase leaders 4 out, chased leading pair 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in
soon chased leaders, chased leading pair from 4 out until weakened 2 out
mid-division, blundered 6th, behind after next, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leader, hit 6th, led narrowly 4 out, headed next, rallied under pressure run-in to force dead heat on line
mistake 1st, soon mid-division, headway and in touch from 5th, chased leaders 4 out, no impression when hit 2 out
always behind, struggling from 5th
mistake 1st, in touch, ridden after 4th, weakened 4 out
mistakes in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders to 7th, soon weakened
led and soon clear, headed and weakened 4 out
in mid-division when blundered badly and unseated rider 6th
pulled hard in rear, blundered 7th, tailed off when fell 3 out
always behind, struggling from 6th
Another interesting Newbury novices' hurdle, with the vote going to Il Duce ahead of Mister Flint, Killenaule, Monty's Salvo and Victom's Chance. Il Duce had looked progressive before being sent off as favourite at Sandown last time, where he found Sea Captain, who is probably pretty decent, too good for him. A repeat of that effort would make him a major player today. Killenaule was only a length-and-a-half behind Il Duce when they met in a bumper in December, but has not been seen since, and Sea Captain's trainer, Nicky Henderson, runs the nicely-bred debutant Monty's Salvo, but he would have to be pretty good to win at the first time of asking. However, monitor the betting for clues. Mister Flint has not built on his Exeter win, but this is an easier grade than he has faced of late and he should go well, while Victom's Chance won at Folkestone last time, is on the upgrade and has to be considered. Coralbrook ran well at Huntingdon two runs ago but did not build on it next time. Cruising River is nicely-bred for this game, and Bengo is one of those to have shown some promise. Given that Henrietta Knight rates The Holy Bee, he could improve enough on previous efforts to get amongst the money, while Lord Heccles has shown some form, but it is not on a par with that of the selection, which is Il Duce.
Mister Flint 9-2 Led, soon clear, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened and eased, 6th of 7, 35l behind Monte Cinto at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
Bengo (IRE) 50-1 Towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 19l behind Rebel Rhythm at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (D) hvy in Dec.
Coolourkid (IRE) 9-1 In touch until weakened 5f out, 7th of 10, well behind Wee Robbie at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (H) sft in Jan.
Coralbrook 25-1 Held up towards rear, ridden 7th, soon struggling, 5th of 13, 30l behind Swift Swallow at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Feb.
Cruising River (IRE) Evensfav Held up, challenged from last, led close home, won at Dromahane in Jan beating Airmark by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Foxton Brook (IRE) 12-1 2nd to halfway, 5th 6f out, weakened 4f out, eased before straight, 11th of 13, 36l behind Geill Sli at Punchestown 2m nhf gd in Apr.
Goss Hawk (NZ) 66-1 Held up in touch, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by The Listener at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (C) hvy in Feb, 7 ran.
Il Duce (IRE) 5-2fav Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, one pace and no impression before last, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Sea Captain at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (D) gd in Feb.
Killenaule (IRE) 4-1 Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden when headed 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Il Duce at Lingfield 2m nhf (H) pol in Dec.
Little Beggar 66-1 Prominent and keen, hit 1st, lost place 4th, weakened quickly, 8th of 10, well behind Wenceslas at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (D) gd in Jan.
Monty's Salvo (USA) Supreme Leader gelding out of a winning hurdler.
Plantagenet Prince 33-1 In touch 12f, 10th of 13, well behind Itsmyboy at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gs in Apr.
River Indus 40-1 With leader, led halfway, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 18l behind Round The Horn at Warwick 2m nhf (H) sft in Jan.
Syncopated Rhythm (IRE) 100-1 Mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened next, 7th of 13, 50l behind Irish Legend at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
The Holy Bee (IRE) 25-1 Prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Demarco at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Guzzle 100-1 Pulled hard, always behind, 13th of 17, well behind United at Huntingdon 2m mrs mdn hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Simple Glory (IRE) 50-1 Always behind, 7th of 12, 23l behind Sunset Light at Towcester 2m nhf (H) sft in Feb.
Victom's Chance (IRE) 9-4fav Prominent, led 6th to 3 out, led again between last 2, stayed on well, driven out, won at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gs in Feb beating King of Confusion by 4l, 16 ran.
Lord Heccles (IRE) 10-1 Held up, mistake 2nd, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, well behind Briery Fox at Fakenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Feb.
