prominent, led before 6th, not fluent 8th, clear before last, stayed on well, easily
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway after 7th, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, behind next, pulled up before 7th
mid-division, jumped right and not always fluent, headway 6th, no impression on winner in 2nd when mistake last
held up towards rear, struggling before 7th, just about in touch 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up in rear, mistake 5th, behind next, pulled up before 7th
led, not fluent 5th, headed before next, behind when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened before last
disputed lead until before 6th, stayed prominent until after 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
mid-division, struggling from 4th, behind 6th, pulled up before next
towards rear, mistake 3rd, not fluent 6th, struggling 7th, pulled up before 3 out
in rear, mistakes, just about in touch 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
mid-division, mistake 5th, closed after 8th, 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner in 3rd before last, one pace
This looks a bit better than the usual run-of-the-mill maiden hurdle. Ballydine, Brod Na Heireann, Master Benjamin and Pyrshan have already shown ability over hurdles and can play a prominent role. Cyrius Moriviere, Hawkhurst and Lough Derg Island have all won between the flags but it's interesting that WHOLESTONE makes his debut over timber over this longer trip after making a winning start under Rules in a bumper only last month. The form of that race is working out well, with the second and fourth both scoring over further over hurdles next time, so Daryl Jacob's mount gets the nod.
Ballydine (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, went 2nd after 6th until before 8th, soon lost a few places, mistake 3 out, rallied to chase winner next, stayed on, unable to challenge, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Fingerontheswitch (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Brod Na Heireann (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up in 6th place, headway approaching 3 out, pushed along chasing leaders before next, 5th and beaten when fell last, at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Mar.
Cyrius Moriviere (FR) 6-4 (11-7) (tt) a.p; led 10; comf, won at Kingston Blount 2m 5f mdn gd in Mar beating Rollo's Reflection (11-7) by 6l, 9 ran.
Daulys Anthem (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 7th, weakened well before 3 out, 6th of 8, 34 3/4l behind Roll The Dough (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Hawkhurst (IRE) 7-4 (11-9) Chsd ldrs, mstk 4th, smooth prog in 4th 3out, ld 2out & sn in command, row, v impressive, won at Boulta 3m mdn sft in Dec beating Thady Quil (11-9) by 12l, 9 ran.
I'm Oscar (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders on inside, outpaced 4f out, soon lost place, behind when edged right over 3f out, no danger after, 7th of 9, 21 1/2l behind Premier Bond (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m (6) gs in Apr.
Lough Derg Island (IRE) 9-4 (12-2) Mid div, 30l 4th 1/2way, 30l 2nd 3out, jnd ldr & wo apr 2out, hdd sn aftr, 1l dwn when left clr apr str, easily, won at Laurencetown 3m mdn hvy in May beating Letitshine (12-2) by 8l, 12 ran.
Master Ally (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Led, headed over 2f out, no extra, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Bentworth Boy (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (6) gd in Oct.
Master Benjamin 5-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 21l behind Urcalin (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
Pyrshan (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 1st and rider lost iron briefly, led before next, headed 4 out, outpaced next, rallied and went 3rd 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Feast Of Fire (10-11) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Right On Roy 200-1 (11-0) Mid-division, behind approaching 7th, lost touch before 4 out, well tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Potters Corner (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) gd in Sep.
Run Bob Run 12-1 (11-2) In touch, modest 4th over 4f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 7, 12 1/2l behind Fact Of The Matter (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (6) gd in Sep.
Trespassers Will (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, some headway over 2f out, soon outpaced, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression, 4th of 9, 18l behind Fagan (11-2) at Perth 2m (6) gs in Sep.
Wholestone (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Soon held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, led over 2f out, hard driven when edged right inside final furlong, kept on well under pressure, won at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Sep beating Western Miller (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
