made all, not always fluent, jumped left at times, ridden after 3 out, edged right off bend before 2 out, stayed on
held up, headway on outside 2nd, lost place after next, weakened before 6th
held up, pecked 4th, lost touch before 6th
took keen hold, prominent, jumped left 2nd, ridden and switched right before 2 out, stayed on, unable to challenge
prominent, jumped left and mistake 2nd, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
OSCAR MAGIC beat subsequent winner Valleyofmilan at Haydock in March. That's by far the best form on offer and he's taken to defy a penalty on his comeback. State Department has the more recent form in bumpers which looks superior to the efforts of Cloudy Lady and Quite By Chance. He should figure on his hurdling bow ahead of the returning Here Comes Moss, who has shown little so far in a couple of starts over timber.
Oscar Magic (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Led until 4th, led 7th, headed 3 out, driven and 3 lengths down after last, stayed on well flat, led towards finish, won at Haydock 2m 4f Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-135) (4-8yo) (3) gs in Mar beating Valleyofmilan (10-3) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Here Comes Moss 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, struggling after 3 out, soon behind, 8th of 12, 33l behind Piment D'estruval (10-7) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jul '12.
State Department 8-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, ridden over 4f out, hung left over 3f out, no impression final 2f, 4th of 9, 13l behind Cole Harden (11-2) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gd in Aug.
Quite By Chance 9-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway over 6f out, kept on to take 3rd place close home, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Nurse Ratched (9-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in May.
Cloudy Lady 9-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on, 4th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Shuil Gealach (10-12) at Worcester 2m mares n h flat (6) gd in Jun.