led, ridden and joined 3 out, kept slight advantage until narrowly headed on long run from last, no extra in 3rd towards finish
raced on inside, held up in rear but in touch, steady headway 8th, ridden in 5th before 3 out, 3rd under pressure and stayed on between last 2, mistake and pecked last, driven and switched right flat, driven ahead towards finish
chased leader, every chance 3 out, weakened between last 2
held up tracking leaders, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up behind leaders, pushed along 6th, lost place next, poor 6th when mistake 2 out, tailed off
held up in last pair, not fluent 7th, ridden and struggling after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
raced wide, held up behind leaders, effort before 3 out, weakened before next
Native Taipan, AMERICAN WORLD and Brimham Boy come in to this Novices' Hurdle on the back of wins and this looks to be a keenly contested race where we'll take a chance with McCoy's mount. The firmer conditions may not suit Brimham Boy who stayed on well to win a handicap chase at Huntingdon last time whilst this trip has appeared to stretch him in the past. Native Taipan was partnered by Tony McCoy when scoring at Ffos Las on his first run over hurdles but the form of the race may not amount to much as only three went to post and he has to concede weight all round as a result. Off Gallivanting has shown ability in bumpers and could take a hand but he's been passed over by McCoy in preference of American World. Brendan Powell's charge has not been seen over timber since the beginning of 2009 and has failed to trouble the judge in seven starts but he has shown improved form over fences since then and he's taken to translate that improvement back to the smaller obstacles.
Native Taipan (IRE) 15-8 (10-13) Held up 3rd and last, headway 6th, led 3 out, ridden and held on flat, won at Ffos Las 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Acrai Rua (10-13) by 1l, 3 ran.
American World (FR) Evensfav (11-6) Held up in rear, chased leading pair from 5th, went 2nd from 12th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Pairc Na Gcapall (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Brimham Boy 11-2 (11-10) Led from 4th, ridden last, kept on, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs beating Noble Future (10-12) by 5l, 11 ran.
Commanche Dream 25-1 (11-2) In rear, hampered 6th, reminder after next, well behind 11th, pecked and rider unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Gerrard (10-4) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf, 10 ran.
Lightning Moley (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Mid div, prog to 3rd to 5out, sn lst pl & no ch from 3out, 7th of 14, 21l behind Chosen Man (12-0) at Stradbally 3m ire ptp gs in Apr '09.
Mzuri Bay 40-1 (11-0) Chased winner until 3rd, not fluent next, chased winner again approaching 6th until 3 out, remote 3rd when went left 2 out, 3rd of 11, 45l behind Lucaindubai (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (4) gd.
Nether Stream (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 24l behind Muldoon's Picnic (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gf in Apr.
Off Gallivanting 11-2 (11-1) Held up, headway on outside into mid-division 10f out, ridden to chase leaders 5f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 14, 16l behind King Of The Night (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f cond & am NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
