tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
made all, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden next, hard pressed flat, all out
held up in touch, headway when mistake 8th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up before last
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, headway and in touch 7th, effort after 3 out, stayed on to have every chance flat, no extra towards finish
held up in touch, pushed along 7th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, pushed along 7th, outpaced next, rallied and effort approaching 2 out, every chance flat, no extra towards finish
towards rear, struggling from 7th
towards rear, struggling 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 7th, outpaced after 8th, rallied 3 out, effort next, kept on one pace
Nevada Royale gets the vote over Very Cool and El Zorro in this novices' hurdle. The long term target for the selection will the Royal & SunAlliance chase at Cheltenham next season, but he won well in this sphere last time when beating Spare Cash at Exeter and with ground conditions to suit he looks a good bet to follow-up. Very Cool is another who won well last time when beating Kristofferson but on this revised mark he has more on his plate in a more competitive race. He will handle this cut in the ground though so he should go well. El Zorro was a little disappointing last time but prior to that he had looked a really progressive sort. The fast ground may be an excuse for his below-par effort, but he is yet to prove himself over this trip and he may be best watched today. Alan King's Pangbourne is proven over this trip and on the ground and he won well when beating Wooden Spoon at Chepstow last time. However he does have his quirks so he is not one to place maximum faith in. This is a good race to open the card and we will side with Nevada Royale to land the prize.
El Zorro 7-1 (10-8) Mid-division, mistake 1st, ridden and weakened 4 out, 8th of 15, 30l behind Wind Instrument (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd.
Very Cool 9-1 (11-5) Made all, quickened 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, won at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd beating Kristoffersen (10-8) by 14l, 9 ran.
Nevada Royale (FR) 2-7fav (11-3) Made all, 2 clear from 3 out, unchallenged, won at Exeter 3m nov hdl (4) gs beating Spare Cash (11-3) by 17l, 9 ran.
Pangbourne (FR) 5-1fav (10-11) Always prominent, led approaching 4 out, idled between last 2, stayed on, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft beating The Wooden Spoon (11-0) by 8l, 17 ran.
Theatre Dance (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, soon lost place, headway 6th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, no impression after, 6th of 11, 13l behind Hold Em (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Aux Le Bahnn (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Held up, took closer order 6th, mistake 9th, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden and no impression after, 2nd of 7, 24l behind Cryptic (11-13) at Newbury 3m nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Crank Hill 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, chased winner in vain after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 6, 27l behind Magnifico (9-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy.
Geneva Bay 25-1 (11-3) Chased leading pair until 7th, ridden and struggling after 9th, 6th of 7, well behind Cryptic (11-13) at Newbury 3m nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Its All Chat 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division until weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Bertie May (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Starburst Diamond (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 2 out, kept on close home, 2nd of 14, 10l behind Superior Wisdom (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
