led joined from 9th, headed after 3 out, soon pushed along and outpaced, rallied from last, always held
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and no impression from 3 out
held up towards rear, pushed along in rear from 8th, soon weakened
tracked leader, joined leader from 9th, led after 3 out, held on well
in rear, pushed along and weakened from 3 out
Plunkett and WATAMU BAY seem to have this Novices' Hurdle between them and now back at this level the last mentioned gets the call with Grand Zouki looking best of the rest. The pick took back to back Novice races before being out classed a little in a grade one at the Cheltenham festival on his last appearance. This is much more his level and he should get back to winning ways. Plunkett looked good when scoring on his first start for Evan Williams two starts ago and made a bold bid at following up on his last run. He's likely to go well again but the selection may just have that extra touch of class. Grand Zouki has chalked up a couple of placed efforts in this type of race over a shorter trip but looks to have plenty to find for the introduction of this stamina test and with the others making no appeal at all we side with Watamu Bay.
Plunkett (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Led, set steady pace, joined 5th, headed 3 out, soon driven, ridden and stayed on to go clear 2nd last, held flat, 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind Worth A King's (10-7) at Haydock 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Cave Hill (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) A bhnd; to & pu aft 13, in a race won by Coombe Hill (12-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Feb, 17 ran.
Gagarin (FR) 40-1 (10-7) Held up behind, pushed along 8th, never dangerous, 4th of 12, 25l behind Dukeofchesterwood (11-5) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
Grand Zouki (FR) 13-2 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 15, 14l behind Tara Royal (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Foxxy 40-1 (10-12) Raced in rear, fell 3rd, in a race won by Raquel White (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 6 ran.
Watamu Bay (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Mid-division, stuggling 9th, soon in rear, 10th of 19, well behind Berties Dream (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Coppingers Court (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, jumped right and weakened 8th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Barafundle (11-9) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Hind House 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, under pressure halfway, soon beaten, 6th of 8, well behind Lovey Dovey (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Chestnut Lilly 200-1 (10-5) Behind, mistake 1st, not fluent and unseated rider next, in a race won by Lord Tomnoddy (11-0) at Chepstow 3m NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
