close up until jumped slow 1st and 2nd, soon mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, stumbled 1st, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
close up, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, tailed off
held up, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakening when stumbled on bend approaching 3 out
towards rear, not fluent 4th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
prominent until ridden and lost place on bend after 3rd
in rear and not fluent, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, smooth headway after 4 out, ridden next, kept on to take 3rd near finish
in touch, ridden after 4 out, outpaced from next
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
close up, led 4 out, ridden next, stayed on well from last
made most until headed 4 out, wandered approaching 3 out, kept on, lost 3rd near finish
held up, headway 4th, weakened from 4 out
towards rear, some headway 4th, never dangerous
WATERLOO ROAD'S hurdling experience could count for a lot here and he can defy his penalty and land this for the Howard Johnson yard. Some smart bumper form is being brought into the race by the likes of Smoke And Mirrors, Sparrow Hills and Sharadiyn but Waterloo Road, who's bumper form was rather mixed impressed with his performance last time out. Having been sent on a fair way from home, he stayed on strongly to dispose of what is a promising sort in Broadway Star. The concern would be whether he has the necessary speed to deal with those hailing from bumpers. Smoke And Mirrors has had a rather stop-start career to-date. Well backed to land a Uttoxeter bumper on his second start, a wind operation followed after he emptied very quickly there. He travelled very well on his return at Plumpton, in what might have been an above average maiden hurdle for that venue. Sparrow Hills is a Southwell bumper winner, beating an ordinary field who have failed to frank the form since. His second placing to the promising Mcmurrough provides a better guide to the level of his ability and he would be interesting if attracting market support. Sharadiyn would not strike as a typical bumper winner as he has plenty size to him. He did dictate matters at Sedgefield when winning there and will not be allowed such an easy time of things in front here. Northern Blaze makes his debut for the Ian Williams yard having been trained previously trained by Alan Swinbank. Waterloo Road is selected to make it two out of two over hurdles.
Waterloo Road (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, led 3 out, stayed on well from last, won at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Broadway Star (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Commercial Vic (IRE) (12-0) 4th of 10, 26l behind Case Study (12-0) at Ballyragget 3m ire ptp sft in Mar.
Flight Wigeon 200-1 (10-12) In touch, reminders 3rd, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 47l behind The Panama Kid (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Howzat Harry 50-1 (10-9) Not fluent, in touch, weakened 5th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Tot Of The Knar (10-5) at Worcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Le Platino (GER) 11-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 7f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 11, 11l behind Triggerman (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gs.
Morning Sunshine (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, keen, never dangerous, 11th of 18, well behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Northern Blaze 11-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, driven inside final furlong, kept on, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy in Feb beating Pete (11-4) by 2l, 11 ran.
Right Benny Benny The Dip gelding out of Keep Quiet.
Scale Bank (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-1) Led until ridden and headed 4f out, gradually weakened, 6th of 14, 29l behind Knockara Beau (11-4) at Kelso 2m mdn nhf (4) hvy in Jan.
Sea Venture (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Held up, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 13, 16l behind First Point (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Sharadiyn 11-1 (10-9) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, led and edged right inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gs beating Vivona Hill (11-9) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Sleepers Hill (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Held up, weakened after 4 out, 12th of 18, well behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Smoke And Mirrors 10-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 12, 8l behind Bergo (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Sparrow Hills (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Chased leader, led 5f out, ridden well over 1f out, driven out, won at Southwell 2m nhf (5) gd in Oct beating Mollys Garden (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Toby Mac 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 5th, no danger after, 9th of 11, 41l behind Mr Jack Daniells (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Uncle Michael 150-1 (10-12) Close up, lost place after 6th, never on terms, 8th of 10, well behind Grand Theatre (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft.