mid-division, ridden after 4th, weakened after next
held up, headway 5th, ridden to chase winner and pecked 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, led 3 out, ridden clear last, ran on
mid-division, headway 3rd, led approaching 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway after 5th, ridden after 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on to go 2nd close home
mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden after next, hard driven and stayed on same pace from 3 out
prominent, led 4th to approaching 5th, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
always towards rear
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to chase winner briefly after 3 out, weakened approaching last
always behind, mistake 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
led, headed and hit 4th, weakening when hit next
prominent to 4th, weakened next
Spuradich is selected over Speed Venture, Haditovski and Honan. Spuradich won a valuable handicap at Newbury for Luca Cumani two years ago, but he has been a bitter disappointment since going over hurdles, having been a beaten odds-on favourite on all three outings to date. The son of Barathea now makes his handicap debut against moderate opposition, and if he fails this test it really will be back to the drawing board for connections. Speed Venture is saddled with topweight after back-to-back victories at Bangor and Uttoxeter, but his last visit here is best forgotten as he got no further than the first. Haditovski has been placed on a number of occasions, but he is on the downgrade now, while Honan does not look well handicapped. However he has only had three outings this year so is relatively fresh and can make his presence felt with Andrew Glassonbury taking 7lb off his back. Spuradich is given another chance to translate his Flat form to hurdles.
Speed Venture 7-2 (11-4) Unseated rider in race won by Andy Gin (10-8) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Mar, 8 ran.
Spuradich (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) Raced keenly, held up and behind, headway and stumbled 2 out, chased winner last, no impression flat, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Sharaab (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Honan (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, led briefly approaching 2 out, soon headed and beaten, 7th of 13, 22l behind Dorneys Well (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr.
Haditovski 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance next, kept on from last, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Polar Gunner (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
Merryvale Man 200-1 (10-0) Behind, weakened from 4 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Acambo (10-4) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd, 21 ran.
Before The Mast (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 4th, hampered 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 17, 20l behind Desert Spa (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
That's Racing 9-1 (10-7) Led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 21, 20l behind Only Words (10-3) at Wetherby 2m amt hcp hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Fair View (GER) 66-1 (10-9) Led to 2nd, chased leader until weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, 21l behind Cirrious (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.
