prominent, hit 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
led and jumped right, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, not quicken flat
keen, in touch to 4th, soon behind
keen, in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and every chance from 2 out, ran on
held up, headway 5th, led approaching last, pushed out
Nonrunner
Welcome Stranger makes his first start over timber and is our selection to make it a winning debut; Vaughan and Briscoe Place can fill the places. Welcome Stranger was a Listed-class winner over ten furlongs on the flat, and is now with Gary Moore. If he can duplicate his flat form over hurdles, he will take all the beating. Vaughan is another with strong flat form. He was trained by Amanda Perrett and has 12-furlong winning form on the Flat. Having shown good form in two placed runs for trainer Henry Daly, he rates as the major threat to the selection. Others to note include Briscoe Place. A bumper winner on his racecourse debut, he was well beaten over hurdles last time out but may appreciate the drop back to two miles today. Of the others, Kingham will have learnt from his racecourse debut but is well held by Vaughan on that form. Overall, there is not much form to go on and a lot depends on how well Welcome Stranger handles hurdling so a small stakes win bet is advised.
Bombaybadboy (NZ) 150-1 (11-3) Chased leader, lost place after 3rd, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Taking My Cut (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Briscoe Place (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 20l behind Keenan's Future (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Cambo (FR) 66-1 (10-11) Mistake 1st, always behind, blundered 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Tarlac (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Lord of Methley 200-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden approaching 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mith Hill (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb, 13 ran.
Nemetan (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, well behind Brumous (11-10) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
New Diamond 100-1 (9-11) Towards rear, hit 1st, ridden from 6th, tailed off, 7th of 16, well behind The Small Farmer (10-0) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Rambo Blue 50-1 (10-6) Disputed lead until ridden, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 10, 42l behind Three Ships (11-1) at Southwell 1m 3f amt hcp (6) fbs in Feb (Flat).
Vaughan 11-4 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 5th, every chance approaching last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Mith Hill (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Welcome Stranger 14-1 (9-2) Tracked winner, ridden 3f out, lost 2nd 2f out and soon weakened, 5th of 6, 9l behind Compton Bolter (9-2) at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) gf in Sept (Flat).
Dance Theatre (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) With leader, led briefly approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 10, 22l behind Hawkes Run (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) gd in Nov '01.
Kingham 100-1 (11-4) Led, hit and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 11l behind Mith Hill (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Pagan Sky (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Mid-division, until lost place 5th, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 28l behind Oscatello (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
Spy Gun (USA) 9-1 (8-11) Led to over 6f out, led again over 3f out, ridden clear 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4l behind Basinet (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Feb (Flat).
Ardglass (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, blundered 2nd, behind and jumped left 3rd, no impression, 9th of 18, well behind Gentleman Jimmy (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Copper Bay (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) With leaders, led approaching 2nd, headed next, outpaced approaching 2 out, 4th of 14, 10l behind Jack The Giant (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Just Ruby 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden and weakened over 4f out, 9th of 15, 33l behind Lady Bling Bling (10-11) at Ludlow 2m mrs nhf (H) gs in Dec.
