in touch, headway after 7th, led 9th to after 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, outpaced and mistake 9th to 3 out, hampered bend after, stayed on well from last, nearest finish
chased leader, led after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, drifted right after last, driven out, readily
mid-division, smooth headway 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, soon ridden, every chance last, not pace of winner flat
never better than mid-division
in touch, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, kept on same pace after
always towards rear, no impression
towards rear, headway 8th, hampered bend after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
held up in mid-division, hit 7th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, headway 3 out, shaken up approaching 2 out, kept on well from last, nearest finish
prominent, mistake 7th, ridden 3 out, 4th when mistake last, eased flat
held up in mid-division, headway and chased leaders after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
always behind, never on terms
A tough novices hurdle here and as usual in these events the market will be very informative but the main protagonists look to be Earth Planet, Super Nick and Cryptic and the narrow vote is given to Earth Planet. The selection was a fair third behind Crocodiles Rock in a grade 2 bumper when last seen, he is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and under conditions that should suit he will be hard to beat. Super Nick rates the main danger on his best form but his form tailed off for no apparent reason last season and his yard have yet to hit form so he is taken on with this in mind. Cryptic is another worthy of respect but on a line through Crocodiles Rock he has a little to find with the selection. Wind Instrument looked a horse to follow a couple of seasons ago but he may just need the run after a 617 day break. Of the remainder Best of Three showed promise in a point on his only start to date but he may be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time, so for the winner we return to Earth Planet.
Ballyvaden (IRE) 11-10fav (12-0) won at Chaddesley Corb' 3m ptp gd in Feb '06 beating Sherwood Rose (11-10) by 20l, 5 ran.
By George (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, weakening when blundered last, 5th of 15, 15l behind Master Medic (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Cryptic 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 9, 12l behind Crocodiles Rock (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Earth Planet (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, soon ridden, hung left and went 3rd 3f out, kept on, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Crocodiles Rock (11-7) at Newbury 2m nhf Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Finbar's Pi (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led, jumped right 1st, ridden when headed 3 out, weakened, 5th of 9, 26l behind Openditch (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Flemens River (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders when hit 4 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind College Ace (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr '06.
Glorious Castlebar 100-1 (11-0) Always well behind, 16th of 18, well behind Midas Way (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar '06.
Heynewboy 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, jumped left 2nd, ridden and weakened after 7th, 6th of 10, 27l behind Hills Of Aran (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Hilal 16-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace, 6th of 14, 7l behind Broomhill Flyer (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd.
Kornati Kid 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 18, 9l behind Silly Wupple (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in Oct.
Super Nick (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Chief Dan George (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Wazalino 50-1 (10-12) Always behind, 13th of 15, 41l behind Presenting Copper (10-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Wind Instrument (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along from 6f out, one pace final 2f, 8th of 23, 8l behind Hairy Molly (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar '06.
Kandora 150-1 (10-0) Pulled early and held up when fell 3 out in race won by I'msingingtheblues (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct, 14 ran.
Best of Three (IRE) (12-0) 2nd of 17, 10l behind Fastandloose (12-0) at Castletown Geog' 3m ire ptp gd in Apr.
