tracked leaders and keen, led second, mistake 5th, under pressure last, stayed on well
always towards rear, weakened approaching 6th, pulled up before 8th
mid-division, stumbled and unseated rider 4th
in touch, mistake 7th, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden to challenge last, no extra flat
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, mistake next
led to 2nd, chased winner until 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, weakened from 6th
in touch, mistake 7th, ridden after next, soon weakened
in rear, mistake 2nd, blundered 6th and rider lost iron, soon tailed off
Nonrunner
EARTH DREAM can take the opening novices' hurdle while Predictive and Another Brother look likely to get involved for the minors. The Paul Nicholls-trained selection should act on a fast surface and is sure to have been well schooled for this hurdling debut after three decent efforts in bumpers. Well related, he should have a touch of class, won't lack for fitness and can show plenty of improvement for the step up in trip, so he is the one for us. Another Brother is top-rated of those to have received a grading from the assessor and the Trevor Hemmings-owned gelding tries fast ground for the first time here. He has been given plenty of time to recover from a fall when last seen out over hurdles in February and has the edge in terms of experience here, so he won't be far away. Predictive handled a sound surface on his Wincanton debut and has run some decent races in defeat. After a recent pipe opener Don McCain's charge looks set to battle for a place in the frame again here. Tisfreetdream has a bit to find at these weights, and the same can be said of Answer Me, while Troglodyte has ability in the context of this race but has to contend with an 18 month absence and looks best watched. Earth Dream can get us off to a good start.
Another Brother (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 3 out until fell at the last in race won by Inghwung (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Captain Can Can (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, well behind Lennon (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Nov '04.
One More Dinar 6-1 (11-7) Held up in rr; 8th 11; pulled up in race won by Major Royal (12-0) at Brampton Bryan 3m ptp gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Pastek (FR) 20-1 (11-2) In touch until weakened over 3f out, eased when beaten final 2f, 10th of 12, well behind Friendly King (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (5) gd in Apr.
Predictive (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway 8th, ridden 3 out, one pace, 4th of 13, 14l behind William Butler (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Sept.
Sexy Rexy (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden and headway 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, blundered last, stayed on, 2nd of 16, 5l behind My Immortal (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Oct '06.
The Bay Bridge (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Held up and keen, headway after 6th, weakened after next, 7th of 13, 45l behind Possextown (10-11) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul '06.
Troglodyte 11-2 (10-9) Jumped right, led, hit 8th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Spirit of New York (11-6) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr '07.
Absolute Shambles 25-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened after, 6th of 13, 33l behind Bremen (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Jack Harbour (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Prominent until 7f out, soon ridden and struggling, 4th of 9, 40l behind Brennanstown (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) gf in May.
Foxriver (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Prominent, jumped left 8th, mistake 9th, soon ridden, close 3rd when hampered and pulled up 2 out in race won by Fresh Air And Fun (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (3) sft in Sept, 14 ran.
Overdante 40-1 (10-0) Held up well in rear, some headway after 3 out, not on terms, left 4th approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 14, 16l behind Fresh Air And Fun (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (3) sft in Sept.
Answer Me (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Chased leader, led after 2nd, headed 3 out, beaten when left 3rd approaching 2 out, mistake last, took 2nd final strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 10l behind Fresh Air And Fun (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (3) sft in Sept.
Earth Dream (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Mid-division, steady headway from over 6f out, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Beat The System (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (5) gs in Apr.
Tisfreetdream (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 9, 35l behind Ricardo's Chance (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
