led, jumped left 2nd and 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
towards rear, headway after 7th, weakened 3 out
took keen hold in rear, effort and mistake 7th, soon pulled up
with leader, bumped 2nd and 3rd, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, jumped left last, not quicken flat
always towards rear, mistake last, never dangerous
in touch, scrambled and unseated rider 1st
behind, headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and one pace from 3 out
mid-division, headway after 7th, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied after 2 out, switched right flat, ran on well towards finish
in touch, ridden after 7th, soon weakened
in touch to 7th, soon behind
keen and not fluent, mid-division, headway 7th, led 2 out, driven out
This should be a penalty kick for Refinement with Bannister Lane and Flying Fuselier both worth noting in the market Refinement ended last season with a fine win in the Punchestown bumper when beating The Cool Guy. He has had his niggling problems in the past but will have been well schooled for his hurdles debut and if transforming his previous form will win with his had in his chest. Bannister Lane won an ordinary looking novice event at Hexham on his seasonal reappearance but now carries a penalty against a far better horse so will struggle. As will Flying Fuselier who has not been seen on the racecourse for over a year and will do well to win this even though his trainer is in great form at present. So for the winner we return to Refinement.
Bannister Lane 25-1 (11-0) In touch, outpaced after 3 out, rallied to chase winner approaching last, stayed on to lead close home, won at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (E) gd in May beating Dewasentah (10-7) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Astral Dancer (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway on outer approaching 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 13, 34l behind Rebel Rhythm (11-13) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Barton Park 28-1 (11-2) Very free to post, settled in rear, no chance with leaders from 3 out, one pace after 2 out, 3rd of 6, 43l behind Mr President (11-10) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Feb.
Flying Fuselier 16-1 (11-2) Prominent, led after 5f, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 8l behind Fibre Optics (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Jul '04.
Mongino (GER) 66-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, reminders next, in touch when fell at the 4th in race won by Mister Mustard (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Over The Blues (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Behind and not jump well, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 38l behind Square Mile (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd.
Siyaran (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Always behind, lost touch 7th, soon tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Forager (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (C) sft in Feb.
Refinement (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 4th 6f out, led over 3f out, soon quickened clear, stayed on strongly straight, impressive, won at Punchestown 2m nhf Grd 1 sft in Apr beating The Cool Guy (11-13) by 9l, 19 ran.