chased leaders, ridden to chase winner before 3 out until 2 out, weakened soon after
chased leaders, weakened after 4 out
mid-division, mistake 4th, weakened after 4 out
dropped towards rear after 4th, headway under pressure before next, weakened before 4 out, well behind when pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, ridden before 6th, soon lost place
led, ridden and kept on from 2 out, headed near finish
behind, mistake 2nd, struggling in rear 6th, pulled up next
held up in touch, weakened 5th, tailed off next, pulled up before 3 out
keen, prominent, chased leader 4 out until before next, weakened from 2 out
mistakes 4 out and 3 out, always in rear, tailed off
chased leaders, 3rd from 2 out, stayed on same pace and no impression on leading duo from last
soon chased leaders, weakened 4 out
mistake 1st, behind, steady headway 6th, chased leading trio after 4 out, headway to 2nd and pecked 2 out, strong run flat, led near finish
This two and a half mile Handicap Hurdle has an open look to it so it's hard to be confident but Captain Becket, CRICKET BOY and Pearly Star all look likely to feature prominently and we'll give another chance to the offspring of the talented Lady Cricket. The 6 year old Cricket Boy is never going to emulate the performances of his smart dam but he may still have enough ability to pick up a race of this nature although we do hold reservations. He hasn't made the frame since finishing third in a bumper on his second outing under Rules despite being well supported on a couple of occasions but Tony McCoy, who rides him for the first time here, may be able to get the best out of him. Captain Becket found only the progressive McCoy ridden Cappagh too strong at Exeter last time and has leading claims on that form whilst Pearly Star has claims on the pick of his efforts but has proved a little in and out of late. Basford Lass and Kentmere are amongst others that could vie for minor honours but we'll be hoping that McCoy can work his magic aboard Cricket Boy. Basford Lass and Rapid Return will be looking to improve on recent form, whilst Witch of the Wave catches our eye as an each-way fancy. This contest could throw up some surprises given the relatively patchy form of most of the horses in the 14-runner race. With some issues regarding the watering of the course, the more solid ground could play in favour of some other choices. Satindra is one to keep an eye out for.
Kentmere (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Not fluent, held up, jumped left and bumped 2nd, behind from 7th, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Double Mead (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Dec.
Pearly Star 5-1fav (11-7) Prominent, led 5th until headed 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 6th of 13, 10l behind Alldunnandusted (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Mix N Match 22-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 4th, went 2nd after next, every chance when ran out 3 out, in a race won by Wild Tonto (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gd, 11 ran.
Cricket Boy 6-1 (11-5) Soon held up, headway to track leaders after 5th, went 3rd after 3 out, weakened flat, 5th of 11, 12l behind Michigan Assassin (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.
Witch of The Wave (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, reminders after 4th, close 3rd when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 35l behind Jeu De Roseau (10-6) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Basford Lass 20-1 (11-11) Pressed leader, led 6th, not fluent 3 out, soon headed, weakened 2 out, 2nd of 15, 24l behind Restart (10-4) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Apr.
Kaliski (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) In touch on inside, lost place 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened from next, 7th of 9, well behind Roodolph (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Satindra (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Behind, mistake 4th, reminders after 8th, 7th and struggling in rear when fell 2 out, in a race won by Troodos Jet (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Mar, 8 ran.
Captain Becket 10-3 (10-11) Held up towards rear, good headway to chase leaders 5th, 2nd 8th, led before 3 out, headed before last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Cappagh (11-5) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Tribunel 33-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, weakening when mistake 3 out, blundered 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Flower Haven (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr, 13 ran.
Mujamead 18-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Kahsabelle (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Mar, 13 ran.
Penric 4-1 (10-12) Led, ridden when headed after 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Sonnengold (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gs in Dec '07.
Cash Back 50-1 (11-3) In rear and keen, mistake 1st, blundered 9th and Fell, in a race won by Spuradich (11-6) at Hereford 2m nov chs (4) gd in Oct '06, 9 ran.
Rapid Return (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 15th, in a race won by Kells Castle (11-11) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (4) gf in Aug, 11 ran.
