held up in touch, chased leaders 6th, led 4 out, under pressure last, all out
mid-division, headway approaching 10th, ridden and weakened after 4 out
in rear, soon struggling, reminders after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, reminder approaching 7th, weakened from 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 10th, pushed along, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
took keen hold, led 2nd, headed after 8th, weakened from 10th
held up mid-division, led 9th, headed 4 out, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, every chance when blundered last, one pace
always behind
led to 2nd, remained close up, weakened from 10th, pulled up before 3 out
jumped right 2 out, always towards rear
held up in touch, hit 5th, reminders next, weakened from 4 out
with leaders, led after 8th, headed 9th, weakened from 11th, pulled up soon after
The ex-Irish JIMBATAI showed plenty of promise on his first start for Tim Vaughan and he gets the nod ahead of Wolf Moon and Canyouseeme. There may also be more to come from Khumbu and he is worth noting in the betting. Canyouseeme was a real eye-catcher when landing a bumper at Towcester in March - creating the impression he has a bright future ahead of him. Sure to have been well schooled for this hurdles debut, the six-year-old should not be underestimated but he may be a more attractive betting proposition when he has a bit more experience. Wolf Moon was another to enter the notebook (well, mine at least) when he won a novices¿ hurdle last time out - also leaving the impression a stamina test will bring the best out of him. As is the case with China Rock in the previous race, has a penalty to carry and has a tough task ahead of him. Therefore, it may pay to take a chance with Jimbatai, whose ability to get a trip is a touch more proven at this stage. The six-year-old won a bumper for Jimmy Mangan in Ireland before arriving on these shores for the start of this season. He has the makings of a useful type and Jimbatia is fancied to start paying his way from now on.
Wolf Moon (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Held up, went handy 3rd after 5th, led after 3 out, driven flat, always doing enough, won at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Upham Atom (10-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Allonby Bay 66-1 (10-13) In touch in rear, jumped slowly and ridden 5th, driven and hit 4 out, stayed on under pressure to take 3rd before 2 out, never in contention, 3rd of 9, 44l behind Mr Gardner (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Anyauldiron (IRE) 22-1 (10-10) Prominent, jumped slowly 2nd, not fluent 4th, weakening when mistake 9th, 7th of 12, 40l behind Key Cutter (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Brave Buccaneer 16-1 (10-13) Prominent, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 13, well behind Barton Grey (10-13) at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Canyouseeme 16-1 (11-2) Always prominent, led after 6f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) gd in Mar beating Only The Best (11-2) by 7l, 12 ran.
Indian Storm (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 30l behind Emotive (11-2) at Catterick 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.
Jimbatai (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Led, not fluent 1st, ridden approaching 3 out, not fluent last 2, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind San Deng (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Khumbu 33-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 14, 20l behind Cockatoo (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Musical Weld 80-1 (10-9) Led until after 2nd, led 3rd until approaching 5th, weakening when blundered 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Nordwind (10-12) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Trace Elements (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 8th, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Cast Cada (11-4) at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb, 5 ran.
Dawn Street 200-1 (10-4) Jumped badly right, always behind, tailed off after 5th, 9th of 12, well behind Vasodilator (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Gonnashine 100-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, some progress 5th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 29l behind Sylroy (9-13) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Inge It Is (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Held up, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Jokers Legacy (11-3) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar, 14 ran.