held up in touch, headway before 3 out, challenged before last, every chance run-in, kept on and just held close home
led, pressed 3 out, ridden and headed before last, one pace
tracked leader, challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
tracked leaders in 3rd, fell 8th
in touch, ridden and weakened after 4 out
held up in rear, hampered 8th, headway 9th, ridden to lead narrowly last, kept on under pressure, just held on close home
County Zen is back over the trip at which he sprang a surprise at Fakenham two runs ago. Second over 2m at the same track last time, he should be thereabouts here along with Paddy Partridge, who was racing over hurdles for the first time in almost a year when runner-up to Molon Labe at Towcester. MILANO SUPREMO won a novice hurdles over course and distance two years ago and had no problem getting back to winning ways when dropped into a seller at Hexham earlier this month. He's the pick of the weights today and should follow up, though Fred Bojangals would be a danger if reproducing the form of his victory at Carlisle in March.
Paddy Partridge 11-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, challenged 5th, led 2 out, joined last, soon headed, no impression on winner flat, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Molon Labe (11-5) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd.
County Zen (FR) 12-1 (10-12) With winner, ridden 4 out, every chance 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Not Til Monday (11-8) at Fakenham 2m sell hdl (5) gd.
Fred Bojangals (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway 7th, chased leading trio 9th, kept on same pace and no impression from 2 out, 4th of 9, 15l behind Riskier (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Milano Supremo (IRE) 8-13fav (10-12) Tracked leader 1st until after 4th, led before 2 out, driven out, won at Hexham 2m sell hdl (5) gd beating That'll Do Nicely (10-5) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Bugbug N Booboo 250-1 (10-2) Mid-division, weakened 7th, pulled up next, in a race won by Walkabout Creek (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
Stand Clear 33-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway 6th, staying on in 4th when fell 3 out, in a race won by Parson's Punch (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
