held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden 6th, weakened after next, tailed off
held up in touch, lost place, mistake 5th, behind from 7th, tailed off
chased leaders until weakened quickly approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
with leader, chased winner from 3 out until last, weakened flat
mid-division, headway 5th, stayed on from 3 out, hung left flat, one pace
held up, headway approaching 5th, weakening when blundered 3 out, tailed off
always behind, tailed off when pulled up flat
took keen hold, led until approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
always prominent, led approaching 3 out, clear 2 out, easily
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, struggling when not fluent 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, headway 5th, went 2nd last, carried left flat, held on well for 2nd, no chance with winner
Taking My Cut gets the confident vote to win this novice hurdle with Saltango and Almutasader rating the main dangers. The selection hails from a yard in top form and this well bred gelding By Classic Cliche is related to numerous high class winners. He is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and he will not need to be anything special to win this on his debut. Saltango rates the main danger on his latest third behind Boychuck. That form has since been franked and he will not be far away but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip. Almutasader is another that could go well as he was a fair sort on the flat and is sure to have learnt from his debut sixth over hurdles which saw him finish sixth behind Golden Quest so he should be noted in the market. West End Wonder is another with place claims on his best form but he will do well to give weight and a beating to som,e less exposed types. Of the remainder Eight Fifty Five has shown a modicum of ability and could run well at a price but for the winner we return to Taking My Cut who is held in high regard.
West End Wonder (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, quickened and led after 4th, headed and weakened 6th, 10th of 16, 32l behind Rimsky (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Almutasader 13-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 45l behind Itsmyboy (10-13) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (F) hvy in May.
Call Me Edward (IRE) Safety Catch gelding out of an unraced mare.
Eight Fifty Five (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 10, 11l behind Star Shot (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) sft in Jun.
Saltango (GER) 6-5 (10-12) Took keen hold in rear, steady headway from 4th, pressed leaders from 3 out, every chance when hit last, no extra, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Boychuk (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Sir Pandy (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 7th, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied after 2 out, switched right flat, ran on well towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Refinement (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Taking My Cut Classic Cliche gelding, half-brother to winners on the flat and over hurdles.
Paradise Bay (IRE) 3-1fav (10-13) Held up, headway 7f out, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 17, shd behind Kate's Gift (10-13) at Ludlow 2m nhf (H) gd in Apr.
