took a keen hold in rear, headway 3f out, driven and one pace from last
in rear, headway approaching 3f out, soon driven and one pace
towards rear, ridden 3f out, never troubled leaders
in rear, headway after 3f out, driven and kept on one pace from last
led, headed third, led again 5th until headed next, soon weakened
chased leaders, led approaching last until headed and one pace
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching last
held up, never on terms
mid-division, headway 3f out, led last, driven out
prominent, led 3rd until headed 5th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before last
held up, headway 3f out, soon driven and outpaced
mid-division, smooth headway 5th, led 3f out until headed approaching last, kept on flat
chased leaders, missed head 3f out, driven and weakened approaching last
chased leaders, effort after 3f out, driven and weakened approaching last
This looks a wide open looking handicap hurdle but we will give the tentative vote to Deadline with both Painted Sky and Thunderstruck worthy of mention. The selection is tried in blinkers for the first time after having become frustrating to follow in selling company. That said he has run some fine races in defeat and if the blinkers can spark a bit for enthusiasm into his genes he has the form to go very close. Painted Sky landed a lady riders hurdle race at Wetherby this time last year but has been winless since. He did show signs of coming back to form when finishing third at Newcastle last time out on his seasonal reappearance so with more to come he is one to note. Thunderstruck has been put in off a mark of 102 on his handicap debut which looks a little harsh considering what he has achieved in his three runs to date so is possibly only worth watching for the time being. So for the winner we return to Deadline.
Ormus 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, challenged 3 out, driven and weakened next, 7th of 9, 33l behind Spanish Conquest (9-9) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Smart Street 16-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, soon ridden and gradually weakened, 9th of 13, 16l behind Annibale Caro (10-1) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Kingsben 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 8th of 13, 12l behind Annibale Caro (10-1) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Moonhawk 9-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden approaching 2 out, plugged on one pace, 6th of 13, 7l behind Annibale Caro (10-1) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Boulders Beach (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, hampered by loose horse 4th, weakened 4 out, 13th of 18, well behind Patsy Finnegan (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Bob's Dream (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Chased leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed next, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 14l behind Pontop (10-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Still At Lunch (IRE) 28-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, led 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, driven and weakened from next, 13th of 15, 35l behind Warsaw Pact (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Nov.
Thunderstruck 11-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, well behind Caravel (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Painted Sky 12-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway when blundered 3 out, fluent next, weakening when blundered last, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Pontop (10-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Helvetio 40-1 (11-10) Always behind, 17th of 20, well behind Elite Land (10-13) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Deadline (UAE) 3-1fav (11-12) Behind, driven and headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd next, kept on under pressure approaching last, no impression, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Pugnacity (9-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sell hcp hld 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Red Dynamite 16-1 (11-6) Close up and keen, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 16, 19l behind Solway Sunset (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.
White Lightening (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 2 out, soon weakened, last of 10, 21l behind Baguenaud (11-0) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Sep.
Victorias 20-1 (10-5) Chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, well behind Elk Trail (10-12) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
