mid-division, ridden approaching 5th, soon struggling
held up, jumped slowly 1st, pushed along approaching 4th, blundered 5th, never dangerous
held up, took keen hold, some headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, never near leaders
held up in touch, lost place 4th, stayed on approaching 2 out, not reach leaders
mid-division, not fluent 5th, soon struggling
always prominent, jumped right 1st, ridden to lead briefly approaching 2 out, one pace flat
always prominent, raced freely, wandered 2nd, led 4th, headed approaching 2 out, no extra flat
led, not fluent 3rd, headed 4th, weakened under pressure before 2 out
always prominent, not fluent 3rd, led approaching 2 out, ran on well
held up, struggling before 5th, soon tailed off
held up in touch, driven along after 5th, soon no impression
Your Amount made an encouraging return to action last time and is selected to land the opener with Taranis and Lord Crewe the dangers. Unfancied in the market for that return, he had some potentially smart performers both in front and behind him there in an event that would not have been run to suit. Taranis is another that made an encouraging seasonal debut last time. His first outing over hurdles last season reads particularly well now with the 124 rated Mister Benedictine finishing in front of him. Lord Crewe is an all-weather bumper winner but failed to get involved on his hurdling debut last time. Quicker conditions will suit but that was a lacklustre display last time. Gabreselassie lacks hurdling experience but made an encouraging initial racecourse outing last month in a Uttoxeter bumper behind what could be a smart bumper performer. He is likely to want further in time judging according to blood lines. An interesting contest to get proceedings underway and Your Amount is the pick following on from that good third last time.
Ath Tiomain (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Held up, some progress 5th, weakened after 3 out, mistake last, 8th of 11, well behind Harry Tricker (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Blue Rebel (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Always in rear, behind when mistake 3 out, soon tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Inghwung (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Esteem 25-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, hung left approaching last, soon kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Artic Bliss (10-5) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Gabreselassie (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 7f out, reminder 7f out, chased winner 3f out, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Jokers Legacy (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Lord Crewe (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders early, mid-division after 4th, weakened 6th, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Seven Is My Number (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Lydlinch (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Towards rear, some late progress, never dangerous, 8th of 18, 29l behind Song of Songs (11-9) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Noble Future 100-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden, headway after 3 out, left 4th 2 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders, 4th of 14, 25l behind Stellino (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
St Savarin (FR) 25-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 8l behind Medicine Path (9-0) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol in Feb (Flat).
Taranis 4-1 (11-4) Chased winner until after 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Laredo Sound (11-4) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jan.
Your Amount (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching last, one pace flat, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Pascha Bere (11-3) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Lourdes (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mexican Bob (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
Sand Iron (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Always in rear, 11th of 14, 6l behind Bronze Star (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f fll hcp (6) pol in Dec '06 (Flat).
She's Little Don 7-4jt-fav (11-7) A bhnd; t.o & pulled up 3 out in race won by Valjean (12-0) at Bonvilston 3m ptp frm in Jun '06, 4 ran.
Etoile d'Or (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Led, headed before 2 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 8, 28l behind Lemon Silk (10-9) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.