raced wide, led, clear approaching 4th, reduced lead before 3 out, soon joined, ridden and headed well before 2 out, no chance with easy winner
chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, stayed on same pace and no impression before next
soon towards rear, struggling in modest 5th 3 out, tailed off
jumped poorly, always in rear, tailed off 7th, pulled up soon after
mid-division, hit 5th, smooth headway to chase leaders from 7th, challenged and going well 3 out, led well before 2 out, clear when went left last, easily
took keen hold early, mistake 1st, prominent until weakened after 6th, tailed off
always behind, tailed off 6th
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, weakened soon after
behind, ridden 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
Double Expresso is likely to be in warm order for this Novice Hurdle and if continuing on an upward curve could take it but BENNY BE GOOD is a more than useful yardstick and is preferred with Black Apache looking value for a place. A winner over course and distance on his last start the selection was confirming some early promise having won a bumper on debut. He has plenty of scope to improve and he would be a poplar winner for a local owner. Double Expresso won both of his bumper starts before shaping well on his hurdles bow in a good looking Doncaster contest on his last run. In time he may be a bit classier than these but he is untested in really soft conditions. Black Apache is one of the more experienced in the line-up and won in horrible conditions at Uttoxeter over a comparable trip in November. He's not quite shown that level of form since but should go better than last time now dropped back to this trip. Pyracantha is another to consider after showing a decent aptitude for jumping on his first try after winning a bumper but Benny Be Good has been there and done it so is just the call.
Benny Be Good 10-3 (11-4) Made all, 4 lengths clear 2 out, stayed on well, readily, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Saveiro (11-4) by 4l, 10 ran.
Black Apache (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 40l behind Babysitter (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Ballaline (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and in touch 6th, joined winner 8th, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 36l behind Babysitter (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Digg Whitaker Mounting Spendent gelding out of Function Dreamer.
Double Expresso 10-3 (11-3) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, mistake next, kept on to take 3rd flat, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Bostons Angel (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Jan.
Earl Grez (FR) 66-1 (11-0) Always behind, lost touch 5f out, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Fridaythorpe (11-0) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Flaming Breeze (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Led and raced keen, saddle slipped and pulled up after 3rd, in a race won by Cool Mission (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Pyracantha 14-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 13, 17l behind Truckers Hall (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Valonty Villez gelding out of Polly Verry.
Claude Carter 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 10, 27l behind Bygones Of Brid (11-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Nodanawink 9-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, ridden 5f out, weakened 3f out, 4th of 11, 27l behind Danimix (10-7) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jun.
Jeronimo Joe 8-1 (10-7) Chased leader, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Warrior One (10-12) by 6l, 16 ran.
