chased leaders until 4th, soon behind, pulled up after next
took keen hold in mid-division, hit 2nd, gradually faded from 5th
soon led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, making headway when blundered and unseated rider 5th
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, hit 2 out and last, stayed on, not reach leaders
in touch, headway after 4th, effort after 3 out, one pace from next
always towards rear
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden and hung left approaching last, not quicken
took keen hold, prominent, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway after 4th, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, led approaching 2 out, hit last, kept on well, ridden out
chased leaders until weakened approaching 5th
mid-division, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
It will be interesting to see how the market shapes up for David Pipe's Babe Maccool, who is probably better than he showed on his hurdling debut at Stratford, but more solid claims are held by Hopeful Purchase who gets the vote with Wheelavit rated the pick of the remainder. The selection was useful on the flat when with Willie Haggas and showed plenty of encouragement on his hurdling debut for Evan Williams when chasing home Trafalgar Man at Cartmel last month. With further improvement to come, Hopeful Purchase looks the one to be on. Formerly with Amanda Perrett, Loch Quest is an interesting newcomer for Philip Hobbs, while Russian Consort has so far given little sign of encouragement over hurdles. Brendan Powell's Wheelavit has shown a consistent level of form in recent starts and he has to be respected but Hopeful Purchase has solid claims and he is preferred.
Loch Quest (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Soon prominent, weakened quickly over 2f out, last of 10, 17l behind Casual Glance (8-2) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct '05 (Flat).
Mill By The Stream 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders to over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 12th of 14, 13l behind Nikki Bea (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcap (6) pol in May (Flat).
Mister Legend 14-1 (12-0) With winner to 3 out; wknd nxt, 4th of 11, 15l behind River Heights (12-0) at Stafford Cross 3m ptp frm in Apr.
Russian Consort (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, hit 3 out, soon weakened, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Nawaadi (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
That's My Charlie (NZ) 12-1 (11-3) In touch, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and jumped right, soon held, 10th of 11, 30l behind Woolly Bully (11-11) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Hopeful Purchase (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, blundered 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last, headed soon after, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Trafalgar Man (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Wheelavit (IRE) 4-1fav (10-12) Held up, headway after 5th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, chasing clear pair when weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Otage De Brion (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Babe Maccool (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, driven along from 5th, lost touch with leading quartet from 6th, tailed off, 5th of 10, 46l behind Deep Purple (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) gd in May.