chased leaders, hit 3rd, went 2nd before next until after 3 out, soon driven in 3rd and not pace of leading duo
always behind, in rear and struggling when hit 3 out, tailed off
towards rear, some headway on inside when hit 3 out, struggling after
pulled hard in rear, rapid headway to chase leaders before 3rd, hit next, stayed well there until weakened rapidly soon after 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold towards rear, stayed on steadily from after 3 out but never a threat
in touch until pushed along and weakened before 3 out, tailed off
steadied start, took keen hold and held up in rear, never on terms
steadied start and held up in rear, steady headway 4th, tracked winner going well after 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly flat, headed and not quicken final 110 yards
held up and behind, headway 4th, chased leaders 3 out, one pace from next
led at very steady pace, headed before 3rd, chased leader until before 4 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold, in touch until weakened 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off
headway to mid-division approaching 4th, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace before next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, 6th and one pace soon after
pulled hard, rapid headway to lead before 3rd, went right 4th, pulled up before next
mid-division, good headway approaching 4th, left in lead 4 out, strongly pressed before next, hit last, narrowly headed flat, rallied gamely to lead again final 110 yards, well on top towards finish
It's unlikely that this race will provide the Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner, as it did in 2009, but if there is to be an above-average horse lurking among them it could well be HIGH BENEFIT. Alan King's mare won a bumper at Haydock before taking third in a stronger event at the Punchestown Festival, in the process showing herself to have an engine that justifies her £40,000 price-tag. The trainer has a superb record here and has started the season well, so she gets our vote to beat Bishophill Jack. Kim Bailey is saddling plenty of winners at present and this £20,000 purchase is from the family of Knockara Beau, which suggests this trip is an ideal starting point. Prince Of Denial already looked in need of further despite testing conditions at Bangor, Richmond needs to learn to settle, while hurdling debutants Light Dragoon and Tanwood Boy aren't dismissed.
Bishophill Jack (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Ld/disp, ld aftr 3out, closely pressed 2out, sn ld again & so best, won at Durrow 2m ire ptp in Feb beating Listenlook (11-7) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Crackerjac Boy (USA) 14-1 (11-4) Always behind, ridden and struggling 7f out, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Bottman (11-1) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Great Hero 100-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, mistake 1st, held up behind, headway into mid-division 4 out, never near leaders, 8th of 15, 35l behind Arthurian Legend (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Jumpjack Flint 22-1 (11-0) Pulled hard in rear, blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Colleoni (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gs, 15 ran.
Light Dragoon Alflora gelding out of Colonial Princess.
Master Paddy (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, prominent early, mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened after 5th, pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Stolen Thunder (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Oct, 11 ran.
Niceboy (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Always struggling in rear, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind City Theatre (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gs in Mar '09.
Prince Of Denial (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, never nearer, 6th of 12, 14l behind Safran De Cotte (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Richmond (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Led until not fluent 1st, tracked leader, hit 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 12, 30l behind Muldoon's Picnic (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Sourchamp (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened after 4th, pulled up before 6th, in a race won by Spock (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Superior Knight 28-1 (11-2) Held up in last pair, ridden along over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 6, 12l behind Saint Luke (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (5) gd in Aug.
Tanwood Boy (FR) Marathon gelding out of Amie Jolie.
Thoresby (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 10, 15l behind Kells Belle (10-0) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gd in May.
Atared 100-1 (10-10) In rear, ridden after 4th, soon behind, mistake last, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Line Freedom (10-10) at Towcester 2m mares NH nov hdl (4) gs.
Dark Haven 100-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway 3rd, jumped slowly and lost place next, weakened quickly, jumped very slowly next and pulled up, in a race won by Ring For Time (10-13) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 8 ran.
High Benefit (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, no impression on winner from early straight, 3rd over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 24, 11l behind My Cool Lady (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 1f N H flat gd in Apr.
Escape Exit 7-1 (11-3) Behind, outpaced over 4f out, never dangerous, 13th of 16, well behind Fridaythorpe (11-0) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Supreme Oscar (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Chased leaders for 6f, soon tailed off and pulled up, in a race won by Latin America (10-1) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) sft in Feb '09, 8 ran.
