close up, weakened after 10th
held up towards rear, chased leaders 4 out, never dangerous
led, headed after 2nd, weakened approaching 4 out
led after 2nd, ridden, headed approaching last, kept on
always towards rear
mid-division, struggling from approaching 10th
mid-division, reminders 7th and after next, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, weakened 10th
mid-division, chased leaders 9th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, weakened approaching 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, some headway 10th, never dangerous
chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
chased leaders, went 2nd at 10th until weakened, hit 3 out
always behind
chased leaders, weakened 5 out
chased leaders, weakened 10th
behind, tailed off halfway, pulled up after 9th
mid-division, headway appraoching 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
This is a distinctly moderate contest and what can only be a tentative vote goes to Snargate, who is taken to follow up his recent Warwick novice hurdle success and he gets the vote ahead of Phareight Dei and Los Suenos. The last mentioned ran promisingly on his return at Exeter earlier this month and has to be respected on that evidence but he has rather harshly been raised 1lb for that effort. Bernard Llewellyn's Lyrical Lily was good value for her win at Folkestone when last seen in February and she has claims if fit enough for her return but lack of a recent run is of some concern. Ravenscar looks plenty high enough for his return to hurdling, while Bowdlane Barb ran better last time but is hard to back with confidence on recent evidence. Phareight Dei might do better back over hurdles and has to be respected but preference is for the lightly raced Snargate.
Coorbawn Vic (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) In touch, weakened 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Iwillrememberyou (10-5) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs, 13 ran.
Cybora (FR) 80-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, weakened approaching next, 7th of 12, 15l behind Anchors Away (10-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Dickie Lewis 9-1 (10-13) Made most to 7th, ridden 10th, weakened after 11th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lazy But Lively (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
The Wooden Spoon (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, closer order 6th, soon ridden and held, 4th of 12, well behind Sydney (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Snargate 40-1 (10-9) Jumped left, chased leader to 7th, soon struggling, mistake 3 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, drifted left flat, led final 50 yards, won at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Nov beating Big John Macarty (10-12) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Ravenscar 11-1 (11-0) Held up, behind from 9th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lazy But Lively (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Monashee Grey (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, no impression, 5th of 13, 12l behind Breaking Shadow (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Dalawan 66-1 (10-13) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 4th in race won by Rathowen (11-2) at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Trust Rule 20-1 (11-12) In rear, blundered 3rd, behind from 6th, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Naxox (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
Phareight Dei (IRE) 5-1 (10-3) Hampered and unseated rider in race won by San Luca (9-13) at Towcester 3m cnd hcp chs (5) gs, 12 ran.
Casalani (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Behind, not fluent 9th, never dangerous, 7th of 15, 39l behind Captain Aubrey (11-1) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Nov.
Belledesaro (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) In touch, weakened approaching 4 out, virtually pulled up, 12th of 15, well behind Scott's Mill (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 1f amt hcp hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Los Suenos (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led after 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, no chance with winner from next, 2nd of 11, 16l behind Whatcanisay (10-8) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) sft.
Zuleta 100-1 (10-0) Held up, headway approaching 7th, led 2 out, mistake last, ridden out, won at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun '06 beating Coltscroft (11-3) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Lyrical Lily 13-2 (9-12) Prominent, led after 2 out, ridden approaching last, jumped right and stumbled, kept on, won at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb beating Aqua Pura (11-4) by 10l, 9 ran.
Bowdlane Barb 7-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, ridden, outpaced next, headway approaching last, kept on to take 3rd, 3rd of 16, 10l behind Brilliant (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gf.
Dodger McCartney 40-1 (11-2) Held up, jumped right 6th, soon struggling, tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Return Ticket (11-2) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar '06.
Pitful Tercah (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Held up, close up when hit 5th and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Sou'wester (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft, 11 ran.