always close up, left in lead approaching 7th, clear approaching 2 out, eased flat
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, chased leaders 6th, not fluent next, weakened 3 out, pulled up soon after
held up towards rear, headway 8th, chased winner from 3 out, no impression when lost 2nd place towards finish
held up towards rear, 15 lenghts 4th 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
in touch when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
held up in touch, pushed along approaching 7th, weakened next
held up towards rear, disputing 2nd when hit 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up in rear, chased leaders after 3 out, in 3rd when hit 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, lost place from 6th
led and raced keen, taken wide and saddle slipped and pulled up 7th
Jonjo O'Neill looks as though he'll saddle the winner of this race with his ABERDALE given a confident selection in front of hurdles debutante Murcur and the quirky Rif. A type to make up into a chaser in time the selection looks booked to win races over timber before that transition. He's a bumper winner, has caught the eye in four hurdles starts and this looks a golden opportunity to get off the mark in this sphere. Murcur was a winner off a mark of 72 on his last start on the level and was bought for a fair sum by a respected yard. A market check will be a big guide to his chances and at this stage a big run is expected. Rif should be available at bigger prices and while he has the talent, as shown by his win in an Irish point, he has attitude issues and doesn't look one to trust fully. Mr Moonshine can be looked at again after his own point win in November, however, it is a concern that we haven't seen him since. Laneguy looks likely to improve after a couple of progressive efforts but Aberdale looks the best horse here and should prove it.
Aberdale (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 18, 15l behind Red Harbour (10-11) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Killobee (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Towards rear, never a factor, tailed off over 4f out, 12th of 13, well behind Quousko De L'isop (11-9) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
Laneguy (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division, progress on outer after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 9, 26l behind Cloudy Spirit (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Mr Moonshine (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Made all, drew clr 3out, easily, won at Loughanmore 3m ire ptp hvy in Nov '08 beating Don't Turn Bach (11-7) by 15l, 12 ran.
Murcar 9-4 (9-6) In touch, led 13f out, ridden and strongly pressed over 2f out, driven out, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct beating Basalt (9-9) by 1l, 9 ran (flat).
Spiritonthemount (USA) 28-1 (8-13) Prominent early, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, 21l behind Cold Turkey (9-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar (flat).
Transact (IRE) 250-1 (11-1) Mid-division, reminder 5th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Cool Mission (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Eterna 12-1 (10-2) Took keen hold early, tracked leader, led 5f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jul '06 beating Kinsford Cowboy (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Henbeck Lady (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 15, 46l behind Old Noddy (11-2) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Dancing Legend 33-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division and keen, reminders before halfway, never dangerous, 13th of 14, 37l behind Priceless Art (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn NH flat (5) gf in Mar.
Celts Espere 7-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, in touch, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 11, 6l behind Jayne's Crusader (11-3) at Towcester 2m mdn NH flat (5) gd in Apr '08.
Dash of Salt 50-1 (11-3) In rear, not fluent 2nd, jumped slowly next, ridden after 6th, mistake 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Elevenses (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Rif (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway when hit 7th, weakened well before 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Predictive (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
