tracked leaders, lost place after 5th
held up mid-division, not fluent 2nd, reminders and in rear from 5th
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression
held up mid-division, tracked leaders 5th, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well
in rear, headway approaching 2 out, chased winner from last, no impression
held up in mid-division, ridden and weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, took closer order from 5th, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened last 50 yards
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, in 5th and held when hit 2 out
led, headed after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nicky Henderson sends OSRIC over the hurdles in the first race on the card and although Dancewiththedevil and Exulto will be contenders, we think that Osric who runs off a pound less than when winning at Bangor last time out may give Tony McCoy a winning performance. This race is a tough nut to crack and there are no less than four course and distance winners in the field. Exulto is looking for three-in-a-row after winning in last two outings at Southwell and Wincanton and is worthy of a second glance. Dancewiththedevil may also be worth consideration as he has beaten two of today's other runners (Pepporoni Pete and Dishdasha). Australia Day fell in his last outing when favourite and it is hard to fancy this gelding now running off 6lbs higher. Is It Me won last July over course and distance on good ground and has a decent record over hurdles but may find this company a bit too hot. Five horses are coming here from winning last time and although a difficult one to call, we side with OSRIC to take advantage of a favourable mark.
Border Castle 10-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, hit 5th, soon weakened, tailed off after 4 out, 10th of 12, well behind Overturn (10-7) at Ayr 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Is It Me (USA) 100-1 (10-11) Towards rear, hit 2nd and 3rd, soon struggling, tailed off, 21st of 23, dis behind Eradicate (10-1) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd.
Dishdasha (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching 2 out, kept on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs beating Spare Me (9-13) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Tiger O'Toole (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Hed up in rear, headway from 3 out, 2nd 2 out, led last, quickened clear, won at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd beating Peaceful Means (10-6) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Forty Thirty (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up behind, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, fought out for 2nd place from 2 out when no chance with winner, no extra in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 11l behind The Jigsaw Man (11-6) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Dancewiththedevil (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, hampered 3 out, led approaching 2 out, headed after 2 out, unable to quicken towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Alazan (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Pepporoni Pete (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, chased leaders 4th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, weakening when hit last, 4th of 9, 6l behind Son Of Flicka (11-10) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Apr.
Alph 13-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to challenge 3 out, led before next, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr beating Helen Wood (11-4) by 5l, 10 ran.
Palmito (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, hit 4 out, chased winner approaching 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 17l behind Midnight Queen (10-10) at Newbury 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Australia Day (IRE) 11-10fav (11-6) Led, slipped on landing and fell 1st, in a race won by Cootehill (11-8) at Kempton 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) gf in Oct, 5 ran.
Osric (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leading pair from 5th, chased leader approaching 2 out, challenged last, soon led, kept on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr beating Master Fong (11-0) by 5l, 6 ran.
Exulto (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) In rear, headway after 3 out, led after 2 out, kept on from last, held on well, won at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Dalaram (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
