behind, ridden and some headway 6th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
made all, jumped well, clear 2 out, easily
held up, some headway when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous
behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, chased winner from 4, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden after 6th, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous
in touch, jumped slowly 5th, soon ridden and weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
pulled hard, soon prominent, last place after 4th, soon behind
pulled hard tracking leaders, mistake 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, stumbled and lost place 3rd, behind when pulled up before 5th
There should be no problem here for Ichi Beau, who is thoroughly consistent and can continue to benefit from his novices' tag over hurdles by landing this, from Royal Prodigy, Generous Ways and the Masareti Kid. Ferdy Murphy's gelding is no stranger to success over fences, but although he had run well enough, he had never won over hurdles until easily taking a novices' contest at Hexham last time. Rated far superior to these opponents on the book, he can confirm that by following up - despite the drop in trip. The other three can fight out the minor honours, with slight preference going to Royal Prodigy, who has shown a fair level of form when placed at both Worcester and Market Rasen in May, before winning a Wolverhampton seller on the flat. Martin Pipe places his horse to good effect and his charge can again run into a place. Of the remainder, Generous Ways has the ability to make the frame judged on his Exeter handicap success in April. However, he has looked both exposed and out of form since and you are taking a chance if you have a financial interest here, while The Masareti Kid may be a better option. The bumper winner drops back in trip here after finishing third over 2m 6f at Newton Abbot last time and that sort of form would be good enough to make the prize money here, though our vote remains with Ichi Beau.
