in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden to chase winnner, edged right 2 out, kept on same pace
keen, tracking leaders, hit 3rd, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd before last, no chance with winner
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, headway next, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, joined leaders 6th, led briefly after 3 out, soon ridden, faded from 2 out
keen with leader, weakened quickly 5th, pulled up after next
mid-division, mistake 6th, soon ridden, weakened next, tailed off
towards rear, ridden and some progress after 3 out, never troubled leaders
mid-division until weakened after 3 out
not always fluent, always towards rear
mid-division, headway 5th, led approaching 2 out, ran on well, readily
Pierrot Lunaire is a confident choice ahead of Seven Is My Number and Vilcabamba. Pierrot Lunaire drifted alarmingly in the market on his UK debut but ran a blinder in what was a hotly contested juvenile hurdle by Ludlow standards. Conceding 12lb to the impressive winner Doubly Guest was no disgrace. A further positive is the weight for age allowance which he benefits from and that should prove crucial in these conditions. Seven Is My Number was a top bumper performer last season. A mistake on his hurdling debut, when travelling well put paid to his chances of making a winning seasonal debut. The form of that contest has worked out and he is a formidable opponent for the selection. This is his first time experiencing ground conditions worse than good however, and that is a concern. Vilcabambe hails from a yard in form but a negative is his lack of hurdling experience. He has to respected having finished runner up on two bumper outings. Master Wells is a 103 rated performer. His experience will stand him in good stead but it would be a surprise if he proved superior to the above mentioned. Pierrot Lunaire looked promising at Ludlow and is the selection.
Chilbury Hill (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, one pace, 7th of 14, 8l behind Dip Anchor (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Freddy's Star (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, one pace, 4th of 14, 29l behind The Nightingale (10-13) at Wincanton 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Hernando Royal 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 7th, challenged from 3 out, headed 2 out, not much room before last, no extra, 2nd of 12, 10l behind La Estrella (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Master Wells (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 16, 12l behind Joe Brown (11-3) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Penny Island (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Prominent, every chance after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 14, 23l behind Spud (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Seven Is My Number (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, steady progress from 5th, joined winner and travelling well when blundered badly 2 out, not recover, 4th of 15, 16l behind Petit Robin (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Tintinhull (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden and weakened 6f out, 6th of 9, 22l behind Oberon Moon (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Pine Conquest 50-1 (10-10) Prominent, ridden and lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 31l behind Owlesbury Dream (10-12) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Power Again (GER) 16-1 (10-10) Pulled early, chased leader, ridden when blundered 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Owlesbury Dream (10-12) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Tyrana (GER) 200-1 (10-5) Always behind, 14th of 16, well behind One Gulp (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Diamant Rose (IRE) (9-4) Led to final furlong, no extra once headed, 4th of 7, 6l behind Gay Sloane (8-10) at Saint-Malo 1m 1f stk sft in Jul (Flat).
Norisan 25-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 11th of 14, 49l behind Dip Anchor (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Pierrot Lunaire (USA) 10-3 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed last, not quicken close home, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Doubly Guest (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Vilcabamba 5-2 (10-11) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led 8f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Definite Edge (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) sft in Jan.
