in touch, driven to chase leaders 5th, chased leader from 2 out, strong run after last, led close home
always in rear
mid-division, ridden and weakened 6th
led, not fluent 2 out, ridden approaching last, headed close home
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out
held up mid-division, weakened 4 out
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
behind, tailed off from 5th
always toward rear, tailed off 5th
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 3 out, weakened soon after
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, held when mistake 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened after 3 out
in rear, keen, ridden 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, not troubled leaders
A large field goes to post for this maiden hurdle but on closer inspection not many can be given a serious chance of winning and the principals look to be Beehawk, Coming Again and Lathyrus and the vote is given to Beehawk. The selection was a fair third behind Escompter last time out that sets a fair standard in the context of this race and he need only run up to that mark to win this. Coming Again rates the main danger on his latest second behind Mowhawk Star but he has had plenty of chances without taking one and he looks vunerable to a less exposed type. Lathyrus hails from an in-form yard and showed enough ability last time out when fifth in a bumper to suggest he would improve for the switch to hurdles so he should be noted in the market. Morson Boy was a fair performer on the flat but has failed to progress as expected over hurdles while Classic Croco has the ability to go close but pulls to hard for his own good and for the winner we return to Beehawk.
Barney McAll (IRE) 14-1 Chased winner, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 40l behind Gold Ring at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Beehawk 14-1 Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 20l behind Escompteur at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (E) hvy in Mar.
Fantastic Arts (FR) 7-2fav Behind, headway 4th to be in touch, weakened approaching 2 out, losing touch when pulled up at the last in race won by Prato at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) sft in Mar, 12 ran.
Morson Boy (USA) 6-1 Held up in mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, 8th of 14, 30l behind Alikat at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Feb.
Silver City 11-2 Held up, headway over 4f out, driven to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 15, 6l behind Sovietta at Leicester 1m 4f clm (E3) gd in Oct (Flat).
Classic Croco (GER) 13-2 Pulled hard, held up, headway 5th, ridden and every chance from 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Tignasse at Fakenham 2m cnd mdn hdl (E) gd in Mar.
Coming Again (IRE) 2-1fav Led, not fluent 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Mohawk Star at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (D) gd in Mar.
Downing Street (IRE) 16-1 Held up and took keen hold, effort from rear after 5th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, 18l behind Rhapsody Rose at Towcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gs in Mar.
