made all, often niggled along, reminders after 7th and before 9th, driven 3 out, stayed on, held on near finish
tracked leaders, faltered on bend after 2nd, went 2nd when not fluent 8th, ridden before 2 out, switched left towards finish, ran on, just held
often jumped slowly and not fluent, tracked winner until 9th, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
held up, headway after 7th, ridden before 2 out, no extra last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, ridden after 7th, not fluent 9th, soon outpaced, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
Nonrunner
INDIAN CASTLE won over 3m between the flags and tackles the trip for the first time under Rules. He was beaten less than a length over 2m4f at Newcastle last month and can defy his penalty here. Ballyben has been highly tried in his last two starts but will have to prove his stamina here. Isla Pearl Fisher, on the other hand, stays further and has won six times over fences though has looked very one-paced so far over timber. New Vic is probably open to improvement and looks the pick of the remainder.
Indian Castle (IRE) 15-8 (11-6) Led, reminders after 4th, slightly hampered by loose horse before next, ridden and hard pressed after 2 out, kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Matthew Riley (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Ballyben (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear on outside, mistake 4th, ridden 6th, well beaten after next, 10th of 13, 44l behind Oscar Magic (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-135) (4-8yo) (3) gs in Mar.
Lord Fox (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) Ld until jnd 6th, went 2l clr bef last, so best up flat, won at Inch 3m ire ptp sft in Mar beating Strideout Euro (12-0) by 3l, 7 ran.
Monbeg (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, well beaten 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 14, well behind Silver Eagle (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
New Vic (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Towards rear, reminder after 1st, lost touch 7th, tailed off 4 out, 4th of 7, well behind Brady (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Isla Pearl Fisher 11-4 (10-12) Held up mid-division, lost place 8th, headway before last in 3rd, one pace and no impression, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Powerful Ambition (10-12) at Hexham 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Rinnagree Rosie 40-1 (10-6) Held up in last pair, not always fluent, ridden and weakened after 7th, pulled up after, in a race won by Our Joey (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
