raced keenly well in rear, always behind, no chance when hit 3 out
chased leaders, jumped slowly 4th, pushed along after next, weakened approaching 3 out
took keen hold, held up well in rear, no chance when mistake 3 out
mid-division, closed 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon went 2nd, led approaching 2 out, clear before last, comfortably
pressed leader, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, outpaced by winner before last
in touch, lost place after 4th, weakening when fell 5th
held up towards rear, jumped left 1st, not fluent, rider lost iron briefly 2nd, some headway before 3 out, not in contention, went 4th when mistake last, never dangerous
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, steady headway, still only 6th 3 out, went 3rd, not fluent 2 out, stayed on flat
mid-division, hanging left after 3rd, soon dropped rear, pulled up before 5th
mid-division, raced keenly, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
led, jumped left 4th, not fluent 5th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
The drop in trip should suit Pterodactyl but he has had plenty of decent chances to break his duck and he is swerved in favour of RUTHENOISE. David Pipe's filly will find this much easier than the exalted company she kept last time in the Ballymore Properties Novices' hurdle at Cheltenham. The drop in trip is expected to suit, any further rain would not be unwelcome, and receiving the weight-for-age and sex allowances she is a strong contender. Similar Fashion has been off for three months; AP McCoy has a profitable 34% strike-rate for the yard this year, revelling in Mick Fitzgerald's retirement, and this well-related mare deserves respect. Foresight is a potential improver, having displayed plenty of promise on his hurdling bow at Warwick, whilst Benedict Spirit is also unexposed in this sphere. Riddleofthesands has shown ability, including between the flags, whilst Purely By Chance was highly-tried last time and this looks more likely to suit. An intriguing contest where we will side with Ruthenoise.
Barathea Blazer 8-1 (10-12) Keen, with leader, led approaching 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Border Castle (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec '05, 19 ran.
Doonigan (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Jumped slowly 1st, soon behind, weakened 5th, 8th of 12, well behind Leamington Lad (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Epidaurian King (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Held up behind, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 22l behind Santo Stefano (11-1) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Pterodactyl (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (10-13) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon chasing leaders, staying on same pace when hit last, 4th of 20, 6l behind Gala Evening (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Riddleofthesands (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 2nd of 14, 13l behind Izita Star (10-8) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Vandenberghe 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 13, 29l behind Red River Rebel (8-9) at Leicester 1m 4f app hcp (6) gd in May '05 (Flat).
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, steady headway 3 out, ridden to chase leading pair 2 out, soon faded, 5th of 6, 16l behind Amore Mio (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Foresight 33-1 (10-9) Chased leader until after 2nd, remained prominent, ridden 3 out, hampered 2 out, one pace flat, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Elk Trail (11-5) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Mansonn Leda (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Mid-division, tracked leaders halfway, ridden after 3 out and soon one pace, 4th of 10, 27l behind Pelican Point (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
On Yer Own 33-1 (11-0) Held up, raced keenly, effort over 4f out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 29l behind Mewstone (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nhf (6) sft in Apr.
Similar Fashion 2-1fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, 2nd over 5f out, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 12, 21l behind Asturienne (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Ruthenoise (FR) 100-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, prominent, chased leader approaching 3rd, led 6th, headed 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 14, 37l behind Mikael D'haguenet (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs.
Purely By Chance 200-1 (10-5) Always in rear, well behind 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Quevega (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (1) gs, 21 ran.
