led, hit 6th, headed 3 out and not fluent, soon ridden, disputed lead 2 out, every chance last, ran on again close home, just denied
tracked leader, ridden to lead 3 out, disputed lead 2 out, led last and all out, just held on
held up and keen, pulled way through to track leaders 3rd, tailed off after 6th and pulled up before 7th
held up, closer order 3rd, reminders and mistake 4th, weakened 4 out, jumped right 2 out
held up in touch, jumped slowly and lost place 2nd, not fluent 3rd, weakened 7th, pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, reminders 3rd, ridden from 5th, mistake when chasing leaders 6th, soon struggling to clear front 2, kept on for poor 3rd
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 4th, weakened 7th and tailed off
held up in touch, lost place 5th, weakened soon after, behind when pulled up before 4 out
Nonrunner
Old Benny gets the vote in this novices hurdle with Best Actor and Ballyfoy rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Low Delta and although having a penalty for that win he again has conditions to suit and he will be hard to beat. Best Actor rates the main danger on his best form but he disappointed for no apparent reason last time out so can not be put forward with any confidence. Ballyfoy is another that could go well but he walked over last time and he will find this tougher. Of the remainder The Speaker has shown a modicum of ability and should be noted in the market but for the winner we return to the progressive Old Benny.
Best Actor (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Led, jumped left from 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 10, 19l behind Warlord (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Old Benny 1-3fav (11-3) Led early, led 3rd to 4th, led and quickened 8th, hung left flat, readily, won at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) sft beating Low Delta (11-0) by 3l, 6 ran.
Eluvaparty 10-1 (10-11) Set moderate pace, quickened 6f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 9, 21l behind Hennessy (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) gs in Oct '05.
Overton Lad 100-1 (10-11) With leader, ridden 8f out, weakened 7f out, 15th of 20, well behind Den of Iniquity (11-2) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
The Speaker (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Held up, lost touch 10th, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 19l behind Schuh Shine (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Dik Dik 16-1 (10-12) Hampered and brought down in race won by At The Money (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Ballyfoy (IRE) (11-2) walked over at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb.
Eurocelt (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden 6th, stayed on after 3 out, chased leaders and jumped right 2 out, took 2nd close home, 2nd of 16, 10l behind Whitford Don (11-1) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb.
