tracked leaders in 3rd, led after 4 out, pressed from 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well under pressure run-in
towards rear, weakened after 3 out
led, soon clear until after 4th, headed after 4 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, blundered 3 out, never dangerous
in touch and keen, every chance 3 out, ridden and in 4th and looking one pace when blundered badly 2 out, not recover, pulled up before last
tracked leader, joined winner after 4 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
in rear, headway before 3 out, challenging winner when not much room before last, soon every chance, no extra towards finish
towards rear, ridden after 4 out, headway from 3 out, went 4th before last, no impression
towards rear, headway on outer over 3 out, weakened 2 out
towards rear, headway before 5th, challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, hung left and weakened before last
It's impossible to knock the recent hurdles form of Cool Baranca but she finished tailed off when favourite on the Polytrack 10 days ago and is now on a career-high mark. JOLLY ROGER had dropped to a very lenient mark when scoring at Uttoxeter last month and went unpenalised when swiftly following up at the same track on Saturday. He now has a 7lb penalty but that may not be enough to prevent the hat-trick as he's clearly back to his best and Lee Edwards should be able to claim his full 3lb allowance. Sorceror has his sights lowered a little and could go well but Cygnet had rather lost his way prior to a lay-off and is probably best watched. Knight In Purple and Countess Comet may be the pick of the remainder.
Knight In Purple 4-1fav (10-11) Always prominent, challenged after 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly next, headed last, kept on flat, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Laudatory (10-0) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Sorceror (FR) 33-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 4th and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace, 7th of 25, 27l behind Shamiran (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Hurdle (95-123) (4yo+) hvy in Apr.
Cygnet 16-1 (11-7) Led, hit 7th, headed before 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression between last 2, 5th of 12, 14l behind Allow Me (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Cool Baranca (GER) 4-6fav (11-9) Tracked leader and keen, led 2nd, clear before 4th, pressed 3 out, headed 2 out, rallied to regain lead flat, stayed on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Apr beating Ruby Crown (10-11) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
The Tiddly Tadpole 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led before 3 out until after 2 out, mistake and weakened last, 5th of 10, 19l behind Viva Colonia (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Aug.
Rebel Dancer (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, took closer order 3rd, led 5th, headed before 3 out, chased winner 2 out, ridden before last, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Jubail (11-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Countess Comet (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leader, went 2nd 3 out until ridden and no extra in 3rd before last, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Josh's Dreamway (11-3) at Stratford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Sparkling Tara 9-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 6th or 4 out, never on terms with leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 13, 29l behind Drumbaloo (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Weetfromthechaff 40-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, in 5th when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Dr Flynn (11-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs, 15 ran.
Ruler Of All (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Towards rear, weakened from 4 out, tailed off from before 2 out, 13th of 19, 26l behind Red Merlin (11-3) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft.
Jolly Roger (IRE) 10-11fav (11-3) Tracked leaders went 2nd after 6th, led 3 out, driven 5 lengths clear before last, ridden out flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd beating Talk Of Saafend (11-0) by 7l, 12 ran.
