tracked leaders, with leaders 4 out, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, kept on from next, always held by winner
held up mid-division on outer, chased leaders 6th, led narrowly 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, in 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from next
led, hit and headed 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, kept on from next
in rear and not jump well, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up
held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
held up in touch, pushed along approaching 4 out, outpaced 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A competitive novice hurdle over a staying trip is next and the vote goes to OURSININLAW ahead of Flanagan and Five Star Wilsham. Evan Williams complicates matters by running two in this race but we feel the Paul Moloney ridden Oursininlaw is the stables number one pick. He had quite decent bumper form and is now translating that to hurdles. He was a good winner on his second start over timber when betting a far superior rated chaser. That form has a solid look to it and the way he grinded out the result is another positive. He should be best served by the ground out of today's rivals. Flanagan also won his latest start very easily and represents a top trainer/jockey combination and if handling this quicker ground he should go close. Five Star Wilsham was another last time out winner and unlike most should enjoy the quicker ground conditions. He has a bit to find with the above two but should run his race. Tony McCoy is an interesting jockey booking on Acrai Rua and simply must be monitored in the market but with Oursininlaw's form looking most solid he gets the vote in a tough race.
Acrai Rua (IRE) 8-13fav (10-13) Led, reminders 7th, driven and headed after 4 out, mistake next, ridden 2 out, stayed on and every chance last, held towards finish, 2nd of 3, 1l behind Native Taipan (10-13) at Ffos Las 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Avec Moi Ce Soir (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Never better than mid-division, struggling 7th, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind The Disengager (10-6) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Prince Tom 10-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 13, 23l behind Daring Origyn (10-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gd in Jan '09.
Quelclasse (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Chased winner throughout, no chance from 3 out, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Bangkok Pete (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Red Twist 25-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway after 6th, lost place 8th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Penylan Star (11-1) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Russian Song (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, some headway 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 17, 31l behind Nice One Eric (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Sunrise Court One Voice gelding out of Tudor Sunset.
Tim Henry (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon under pressure, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 7, 41l behind House Of Bourbon (10-12) at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Sobre Tresor (FR) 2-1 (10-7) Led to 2; ur nxt, in a race won by Astania (11-0) at Cothelstone 2m 4f ptp gf in Apr, 11 ran.
Five Star Wilsham (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Keen, close up, went 2nd 5th, led after 7th until 4 out, regained lead 3 out, kept on well after last, in command final 100 yards, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Double Chocolate (10-9) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Flanagan (IRE) 6-4fav (11-1) Led 2nd, hit 2 out, clear approaching last, easily, won at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Azulada Bay (10-10) by 5l, 10 ran.
Oursininlaw (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, led between last 2, ridden and hung left under pressure flat, held on towards finish, won at Fakenham 2m 7f nh nov hdl (3) gf beating Oedipe (10-13) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
