took keen hold in mid-division, headway after 4th, went 2nd approaching 6th, ridden and switched left approaching 2 out, one pace
in rear, headway approaching 3 out, not trouble leaders
held up, lost touch after 5th
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, driven along and lost place after next, headway again approaching 6th, weakening when mistake 3 out
held up, ridden after 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, led after 3 out, edged left approaching last, stayed on well
jumped right, led until after 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, weakened 3 out, eased approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, lost touch from 5th, tailed off
held up in touch, driven along 5th, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up after 6th
chased leader until approaching 6th, soon weakened
held up, lost touch after 5th
A large field goes to post for this novices hurdle but on closer inspection not many can be given a serious chance of winning and the principals look to be Moon Over Miami, Don And Gerry and Cold Mountain and the confident vote is given to Moon Over Miami. The selection won well last time out when beating Star Shot and although having another penalty for that win that form looks rock solid in the context of this race and under similar conditions here he will be hard to beat. Don And Gerry rates the main danger as he also won well last time out when beating Makeabreak. However this looks more competitive and he will need to improve again to defy his penalty. Cold Mountain is another worthy of respect on his latest fifth behind Orpen Wide but he has given the impression in the past that he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip and looks opposable on that basis.Blue Train hails from a yard in form and could improve for the fitting of a first time tongue tie while Tuihi Two has the ability to go close if she ordains to use it but for the winner we return to the progressive Moon Over Miami.
Sou'wester 12-1 (11-4) In touch, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance last, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Ameeq (10-8) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Hased leaders to 6th, beaten when mistake 2 out, 5th of 16, 28l behind Orpen Wide (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Magnesium (USA) 25-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd 6th to 10th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Penzance (11-0) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) gf, 8 ran.
Rio De Janeiro (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Moon Over Miami (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Don And Gerry (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Held up, headway 6th, led approaching last, soon clear, easily, won at Hereford 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gf beating Makeabreak (10-12) by 7l, 12 ran.
Blue Train (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) In touch, chased leaders after 3 out, every chance next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Cherished Number (10-11) at Fakenham 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Tihui Two (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) refused in race won by Nice Horse (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f nh mdn hdl (4) gf, 10 ran.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 4-6fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 6th, pushed along approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gd beating Star Shot (11-7) by 4l, 16 ran.
