in touch, ridden behind leaders 2 out, switched left approaching last, kept on
led, hit 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, not quicken
in touch, ridden and outpaced 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, mistake 4th, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and chased leader 2 out, led last, drifted left flat, ran on well
chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression
held up, not fluent 1st, lost touch 5th, soon ridden, rallied and kept on from 2 out, jumped left last
Qrakers can land this on his handicap debut with the hat-trick seeking Marsam and Wise Owl appearing the main dangers. The selection had good flat form in France before joining the Nicholls team as part of his French influx of four year olds. In receipt of the weight from his rivals he is selected despite looking fairly one paced in the latter stages of his races. Wise Owl makes his belated seasonal debut here. Last seen contesting the Swinton Hurdle, he has been dropped 3lb for that outing but faces a stiff task on this, his first start for ten months. The form of the novice hurdle which Marsam landed last time has not worked out, the second being beaten in a moderate maiden hurdle last time. He does like to dictate though and this circuit will suit his style of running but he faces no easy task on his handicap debut off this weight. Oldrik has been competing consistently without getting his head in front but the fast pace here will suit him. He can take a 'pull' in his races and is another that deserves consideration. Qrakers gets the tentative vote in a tight heat.
Wise Owl 10-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, one pace, 8th of 23, 7l behind Leslingtaylor (9-11) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May.
Marsam (IRE) 15-2 (11-13) Made all, jumped well, ridden from 2 out, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Feb beating Luna Landing (11-3) by 4l, 13 ran.
Qrackers (FR) 15-2 (10-4) Towards rear, headway after 2 out, ridden last, one pace, 4th of 16, 6l behind Pascha Bere (11-3) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Boulevardofdreams (IRE) 22-1 (11-8) Held up, behind when fell 4 out in race won by Iroquois Warrior (11-11) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb, 16 ran.
Cnoc Moy (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Held up, badly hampered 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, hung left flat, 4th of 10, 6l behind Stagehand (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Oldrik (GER) 7-2 (11-12) Took keen hold, prominent in main group, not fluent 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 6l behind Stravara (11-11) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Chilbury Hill (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 30l behind Pierrot Lunaire (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
