close up until badly hampered 5th, handy soon after, led 3 out, clear when hit last, driven out and kept on run-in
took keen hold, close up, weakened approaching 3 out, no chance when hit last
took keen hold, mistakes 2nd and 7th, always behind
soon chased leaders, driven along after 3 out, went 2nd briefly and mistake 2 out, weakened before last
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, travelling well, stayed on same pace from next
mistake 1st, always behind
led 3rd, headed 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened soon after
mid-division, mistake 7th, struggling before 3 out
reluctant to go to start, pushed along and struggling 7th, always behind
led to 3rd, disputing lead when fell 5th
held up towards rear, headway 7th, soon well in touch until ridden and weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mistake and reminders 4th, always rear division, tailed off
chased leaders, hit 6th, pushed along approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on well flat
A French Horse sets a decent enough standard and is a good place to start, however CREDIT CRUNCHED, Topsham Belle and Play On Words look horses of real potential and it is the former who is preferred. Alan King's gelding runs in the same colours as the top staying hurdler Nenuphar Collonges and he looks an interesting recruit to the yard. He comes from a real staying family so he made need a more testing track to be seen at this best, however the hope is that he can cope this afternoon and prosper. Global Warming ran in some good bumpers last season and he looks a player here, especially if the market speaks in his favour, whilst King Of Leon is expected to step up on a quiet first try over hurdles at Wincanton. China Goes Green has a first start for Phillip Hobbs today, however a more interesting contender is the more experienced A French Horse. He represents a stable that have started the season well and with a mark of 120 he sets the standard to aim at. The mare Topsham Belle looks sure to be prominent in the betting; she demolished a field at Huntingdon in taking fashion in April and is of obvious interest now jumping a hurdle. The ex-French Lucciolina is of interest as well; she had some solid form as a three-year-old and has since been making a decent impact between the flags for the Waley-Cohen's. Finally, Play On Words represents strong connections and must be considered respect on his hurdling bow, however it is Credit Crunched who is worth chancing.
A French Horse (FR) 10-3fav (11-10) Chased leaders, every chance last, kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 18, 8l behind Patsy Finnegan (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Cavingdon 8-1 (11-0) Always prominent, chased leader 4f out, ridden over 1f out, strong challenge inside final furlong, led last strides, won at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct beating Murrell (11-0) by hd, 10 ran.
China Goes Green (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 22nd of 24, well behind Quantitativeeasing (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf sft in Apr.
Classic Diamond 16-1 (10-11) Always in rear, struggling 5f out, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Cavingdon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Credit Crunched (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) won at Maisemore Park 2m 4f ptp in Mar beating There Ya Go (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Drop Anchor (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Towards rear, no danger from before 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Talkin' Tough (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl (6yo+) gd in May.
Global Warming (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, made some moderate late headway, never in contention, 6th of 11, 22l behind Bellvano (11-6) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gd in Feb.
King of Leon (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Always behind, 11th of 14, 39l behind Pepe Simo (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Magical Island 20-1 (11-1) In touch, lost place after 3f out, reminders and last after 5f, headway under pressure 5f out, went 2nd and edged left over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 24l behind Megasue (10-7) at Worcester 2m NH flat (5) gd in Aug '08.
Play On Words (FR) 9-4 (11-4) Held up, headway 6f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Roman Conquest (11-1) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (5) hvy in Jan.
Sandofthecolosseum (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Cl up til fell 8th, in a race won by Prince Of Milan (11-7) at Belclare 3m ire ptp sft in Mar, 8 ran.
Saxon Blue 50-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 6f out, soon struggling, 9th of 11, 38l behind Secure My Position (11-0) at Worcester 2m NH flat (5) gd in Sep.
The Boffinator 50-1 (10-12) Led to 4th, remained prominent, chased winner after 3 out until 2 out, no extra before last, 4th of 10, 6l behind Qianshan Leader (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Lucciolina 4-5 (11-7) Held up; hdwy 7; qcknd to ld app 3 out; rdly, won at Dingley 2m 4f ptp in Apr beating Finbar's Pi (12-0) by 6l, 9 ran.
Secret Gift 50-1 (10-7) Always in rear, 7th of 11, 46l behind Danimix (10-7) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jun.
Topsham Belle (IRE) 4-5fav (10-4) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, pushed clear inside final furlong, won at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gf in Apr beating Turfenmill (10-10) by 7l, 9 ran.
Safeguard (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division, reminders after 5th, awkward on bend before 6th, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Baren De Doc (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Tasty Tarn Bob's Return mare out of Mistress Star.
