held up mid-division, went remote 3rd approaching 3 out, well held when hit 2 out, no impression
led, not fluent 1st, ridden approaching 3 out, not fluent last 2, headed flat, no extra
with leader, challenged 2 out, ridden aproaching last, led flat, driven out
held up mid-division, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, left distant 4th 3 out
held up towards rear, weakened approaching 4 out
held up mid-division, weakened from 8th
held up, driven halfway, detached when pulled up before 3 out
chased clear pair until after 4 out, weakening in 4th when fell next
We open with a maiden hurdle here and while good recent form is non-existent it should remain fairly competitive and we tip JIMBATAI to take victory here with Saddlers' Supreme and Hareem offered up as each way alternatives.The selection is from the yard of Tim Vaughan who are in some decent form of late. He hasn't been seen on the track since September of last year. He ran with credit there and looked to be progressing. He will have benefitted for the break and the going and distance should suit. Saddler's Supreme showed a bit of ability in four bumper starts last term and she ran a satisfactory race on her hurdles debut last time. That was back in December but the mare should have come on for that run. Hareem has had one outing so far this year but failed to impress. The experience may prove to be of little benefit to the gelding who last win came in 2007. He has proved to be a little unpredictable in the past but in such lowly company he is capable of a finish in the minors. Micky Hammond's San Deng has progressed over two outings this year but is without a win for nearly four years and will need to show vast improvement if he is to challenge our selection Jimbatai.
Hareem (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden 3 out, stayed on, never on terms, 7th of 15, 17l behind Ruby Crown (10-11) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Jimbatai (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Raced towards rear in moderate 6th for much, closed 6 out, 5th and kept on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 7, 8l behind Somalia Road (10-9) at Tralee 2m 6f nh nov hdl gs in Sep.
San Deng 9-1 (11-6) Held up, ridden 4th, soon outpaced, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Dream Castle (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun '07, 9 ran.
Tank Commander 100-1 (11-0) Held up, weakened 4 out, 9th of 10, well behind Pemberton (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Almond Court (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Isn't That Lucky (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 5f nov stks (3) gd, 7 ran.
Anne Sian (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Always behind, tailed off from 4 out, 9th of 11, well behind Abstinence (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Black Eyed Pea 50-1 (10-6) In rear, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 35l behind Pontop (11-4) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (4) gf in May.
Blasknock (IRE) 80-1 (10-5) Held up when brought down 7th, in a race won by Elzahann (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 15 ran.
Essie Sparks (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, 14th of 16, well behind Weather Front (10-7) at Wetherby 1m 5f 3yo nhf (5) sft in Dec '07.
Saddlers' Supreme (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Led, mistakes, headed 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 15, 13l behind Elzahann (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.