chased leader until 2nd, chased leaders, pushed along approaching 7th, weakened and blundered next, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
hung right at times, took keen hold, led 2nd, headed soon after 4 out, led again 2 out, hung right and headed soon after last, 3rd and one pace flat
chased leaders, weakened 3 out, mistake next
held up in last pair, steady headway 6th, chased leaders after 4 out, challenged last, soon every chance and stayed on flat, just held
led until 2nd, chased leader, led again soon after 4 out, narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging, led again soon after last, stayed on well, ridden out
in touch, ridden after 7th, reminders after 4 out, soon beaten
mistakes, last pair, mistake 2nd, not fluent 4th, went right and blundered 5th, ridden after 6th, soon struggling in rear, tailed off
Low-key stuff but an interesting contender in GARRYOWEN OSCAR for the thriving team of Jo Foster and Samantha Drake. The ex-Irish gelding has his first run for the yard since joining the Foster operation from Charlie Swan, bringing with him some useful hurdling form in the context of this race, including the landing of a 2m4f Sligo hurdle in 2011. Hopefully he will be straight enough to do himself justice and receives a tentative vote. Prince Pippin is solid in this grade and seems sure to be on the premises after a couple of respectable Towcester efforts, whilst Kingdom Of Munster would have excellent claims if reproducing his second to Coverholder at Doncaster earlier this year. However, he does find winning extremely difficult but completes the shortlist along with the lightly-raced Art School.
Art School (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Eduard (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Exit To Freedom 250-1 (11-3) Behind, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 13, 49l behind Timesishard (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Garryowen Oscar (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, never a factor, 9th of 13, 27l behind Cloone Rocket (11-12) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f beg chs gd in Aug.
Kingdom Of Munster (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Tracked leader, led 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 30l behind Cara Court (9-10) at Catterick 2m 3f ldys hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Feb.
Prince Pippin (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Led to 4 out, regained lead 3 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Nicky Nutjob (10-5) at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Royal And Ancient (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Towards rear, pushed along after 5th, in rear before next, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Grey Area (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Teeiygee 150-1 (10-12) Not fluent in rear, mistake 7th, soon driven and lost touch, pulled up before next, in a race won by Imperial Vic (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
