took keen hold, chased leaders in 4th, pushed along and outpaced when mistake 7th, soon weakened and fell 3f out
chased leader, mistake 3 out, soon lost 2nd, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out, soon weakened
held up in last pair, weakened before 7th, ridden and blundered next, soon pulled up
sweating, led until ridden and headed 2 out, one pace between last two, no chance with winner
chased leading pair, awkward 5th, not fluent 8th, 2nd soon after 3 out, led going well next, came clear from last, easily
held up in last pair, went 4th before 7th, ridden before 2 out, disputing modest 3rd at the last, no chance with leading duo
held up well in rear, blundered 1st, refused and unseated rider next
Admiral Kid and Alf 'n' Dor have won bumpers so it will be interesting to see how they cope with the switch to hurdles. WHOLESTONE (NAP) was let down by his jumping in two runs over timber last season but showed ability on both occasions. Nigel Twiston-Davies has had plenty of time to brush up his technique and we should see a different horse this season – today's trip looks ideal. Bugsie Malone has won a point-to-point so stamina won't be an issue with that one while connections have wasted no time in putting Bubba N Squeak over hurdles after just one run in a bumper.
Admiral Kid (IRE) 4-5fav (11-4) Made all, driven over 2f out, 3 lengths clear inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at Fontwell 1m 6f (6) hvy in Feb beating River Of Intrigue (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Alf 'n' Dor (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, pressed leader, ridden over 3f out, soon no chance with winner, lost place inside final 2f, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, regained modest 2nd post, 2nd of 8, 14l behind Pride Of Lecale (11-3) at Chepstow 2m (6) hvy in Feb.
Bubba N Squeak (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 5f out, outpaced final 2f, 5th of 12, 16l behind Le Breuil (10-12) at Warwick 2m (6) gs in May.
Bugsie Malone (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Chased winner until approaching 2 out, no extra between last 2, 4th of 12, dist behind Dueling Banjos (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) sft in Mar.
Wholestone (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division in touch, headway when fell 4 out, at Newcastle 2m 6f (2) sft in Nov.
Western Wave (FR) 14-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd approaching last, no chance leading pair, 3rd of 14, 27l behind Kiwayu (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Informality (IRE) (8-13) last of 8, dist behind Herbalist (10-0) at Les Landes 1m 2f hcp in May.
