tracked leaders, led briefly after 5th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, ran on
led, headed briefly after 5th, ridden 3 out, soon headed, weakening when hampered 2 out
held up, driven for headway 6th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, every chance last, no extra
towards rear, hit 4th, plugged on and left 3rd last
mid-division and keen, ridden 5th, soon weakened
towards and pecked 1st, weakened 6th
tracked leaders, weakened 6th, soon behind
held up, smooth headway after 5th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, held when unseated rider last
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, jumped left and not fluent
mid-division, ridden and weakened 6th
tracked leaders, awkward 4th and lost place, well off the pace when stayed on from 3 out, jumped left 2 out, not reach leaders
In a modest event, Dark Parade is selected ahead of Baker's Girl, Bubbs and General Knowledge. Fontwell bumper winner Baker's Girl has to be of interest on her hurdling debut, while Bubbs has already won a maiden event, albeit over nearly three miles in a modest contest. As a 55-rated staying flat winner, the David Evans-trained Dark Parade has to be respected, as does Brendan Powell's General Knowledge, a 75-rated 10-furlong winner at Folkestone, although he was well beaten on his hurdling debut in December. Finally, Swainson has at least shown some flat promise, as has the David Pipe-trained Loom, although his two jumping runs to date have been modest. Once again, then, the selection is Dark Parade.
Bubbs 22-1 (10-12) Chased winner until after 3 out, one pace, 4th of 9, 18l behind Learning The Blues (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Dark Parade (ARG) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Mith Hill (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb '06, 13 ran.
Loom (GER) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 3rd, mistake 4th, hung left and lost touch after 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Toni Alcala (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jul, 11 ran.
Davidia (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden 7th, soon behind, 9th of 11, well behind Superfly (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gf in Jul.
General Knowledge (USA) 20-1 (10-12) Hit 1st, held up in rear, headway from 5th, ridden and weakened next, 13th of 16, well behind Pancake (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Not A Doctor (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden and weakened after 6th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Sashenka (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jul, 12 ran.
Baker's Girl (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Towards rear, ridden 4f out, chased winner 2f out, eased close home and lost 2nd on line, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Ambrosinni (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Jun.
