led until after 2nd, led 4th, soon headed, led 6th, ridden flat, ran on
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd or 4th, chased winner 2 out, unable to quicken flat
held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, headway 5th, beaten when jumped slowly last
held up in rear, pulled hard, headway to go 4th approaching 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, took keen hold, led after 4th, headed next, soon lost place, rallied when not fluent 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
with leader, led after 2nd, headed 4th, led 5th until stumbled next, lost place 3 out
prominent on outside, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, some headway approaching 6th, ridden and struggling 3 out
Quite a decent novice hurdle to open the meeting and the vote goes to CLERK'S CHOICE ahead of Roodolph and Flying Squad. The selection hails from a small yard that doesn't have many runners but they might have an above average type on their hands here. A decent horse on the flat rated 90 he has transferred that ability to hurdling and looks a horse to follow. He has won his last two starts easily with his win two runs back being very impressive in a fair handicap. His jumping has a little bit to be desired but he looks on the up and we fancy him to win this even with a penalty as long as the ground stays quick. Roodolph made a very pleasing debut after a lengthy absence to win an average race. He did it well that day and is entitled to come on for the run if the bounce factor doesn't kick in. His yard is amongst the winners and he won't be far behind the selection. Lying Squad seems to be improving with racing and his third to Tito Bustillo will have him in the shake up here. Others to note on their hurdling debuts are Heron Bay and Calypso Bay. Both were decent on the flat and have now joined top yards but Clerk's Choice still gets the nod in a decent race.
Clerk's Choice (IRE) 1-3fav (10-12) Always prominent, led 3 out, clear approaching next, not fluent last, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs beating Himrayn (10-12) by 6l, 12 ran.
Roodolph 11-4 (11-0) Mid-division on inside, headway 4th, went 2nd 3 out, led after next, ridden and drifted left flat, stayed on, won at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr beating Niceonefrankie (10-9) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Clear Sailing 10-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, led halfway, headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 6, well behind Gremlin (8-12) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar (flat).
The Grey One (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Pulled hard towards rear, hit 2nd, never on terms, well beaten 2 out, 9th of 11, 49l behind Barrel Of Fun (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Billy Beetroot (USA) 66-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, lost touch 3 out, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Roodolph (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Calypso Bay (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, tailed off after 4 out, 10th of 11, well behind Lion On The Prowl (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Majestic Bull (USA) 20-1 (11-3) Towards rear, blundered 3rd, hampered next, well behind 5th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Skye But N Ben (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Racingisdreaming (USA) 33-1 (10-4) Held up, in rear, outpaced from 3 out, 8th of 14, 24l behind Real Treasure (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Flying Squad (UAE) 150-1 (10-12) Held up behind, smooth headway 3 out, joined leaders and every chance approaching 2 out, no impression approaching last, 3rd of 14, 13l behind Tito Bustillo (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Heron Bay 16-1 (9-7) Held up, never dangerous, 11th of 15, 29l behind Hunterview (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct (flat).
Shame The Devil (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 7f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 11, 41l behind Roses (10-12) at Southwell 2m cond & am NH flat (6) gd in May '09.
Summerofsixtynine 40-1 (10-5) Mid-division, hit 1st, hit 5th, soon weakened, 8th of 14, well behind Tri Nations (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gd in Apr.
