raced keenly, tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led on bit before next, clear last comfortably
behind, ridden 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 3 out, outpaced from next
mid-division, headway 3 out, no impression when mistake next
with leader, led 6th, headed 3 out, soon weakened
mistake 1st, always towards rear
led to 6th, outpaced next, weakened 3 out
in rear, lost touch 6th, tailed off
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place approaching 3 out, soon tailed off
raced keenly, tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed before next, kept on no chance with winner
mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders
not fluent, behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened
General Hardi has seemingly been found a suitable opportunity to open his account and is taken to do so at the main expense of Troll and Fastaffaran. The selection showed promise in bumpers and showed a similar level of ability on his hurdling debut when chasing home Character Building at Sedgefield recently and a reproduction of that form should suffice. Heather Dalton's All Things Equal has a similar profile to the selection but his form is not as good as John Wade's gelding, while Tipu Sultan is probably best watched on his return to this country having been campaigned on the flat in Spain. Len Lungo's Wetherby bumper winner Troll gave little sign for encouragement on his hurdling debut but may be better than he showed at Kelso and he makes more appeal than Fastaffaran, who may want a softer surface to show his best form. There are no such worries for General Hardi though and he gets the vote.
All Things Equal (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Led, quickened approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace flat, 4th of 14, 8l behind Foodbroker Founder (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (D) gs in Feb '05.
Aztec Prince (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) 3rd of 9, 19l behind Senza Scrupoli (12-0) at Dalston 2m 4f ptp sft.
Bobbing Cove 200-1 (10-12) Hit 1st, chased leaders, hit 3rd, weakened 3 out, 10th of 18, well behind Harmony Brig (11-10) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Fastaffaran (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden 2 out, one pace after, 4th of 16, 8l behind Boulders Beach (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
General Hardi 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, headed after next, ridden and kept on flat, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Character Building (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Royal Mackintosh Sovereign Water gelding out of Quick Quote.
Solway Ed (IRE) Mister Lord gelding out of Eds Luck.
Troll (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 14, 26l behind Money Trix (11-5) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
