tracked leader, led 2nd, jumped right 4th, 5th and 6th, headed 3 out, quickly weakened
held up in touch, headway approaching and every chance 3 out, hit next, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, upsides last, stayed on to lead near finish
towards rear, mistake 4 out, headway next, ridden to chase leading pair approaching last, one pace
held up in mid-division, headway 4th to track leaders, led and not fluent 3 out, kept on, headed towards finish
led and not fluent 1st, headed 2nd, tracked leader, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, headway 2 out, no impression
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, kept on, no impression
Cheltenham winner MENORAH should be a tough cookie to crack despite the emphasis on speed; Escort'men and Washington Irving could be his biggest dangers. Phillip Hobbs' gelding upset the Dunguib-pulled applecart when winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last month. He battled on well under a terrific Richard Johnson ride and as long as the race hasn't left too much of a mark on him then he must go close, especially as he has already won around speed-orientated tracks. Dan Breen was well-held behind him on that occasion but may find this flatter track more to his liking and is not discarded, along with General Miller who got no further than the first flight. He is a solid novice although the feeling is that he needs further. Captive Audience won easily on his hurdling bow at Ffos Las but now steps up markedly in grade. The yard have had some good horses over from Ireland and this fellow looks no exception. This track should favour Inventor who was classy on the flat, whilst Washington Irving should appreciate this better ground and shorter trip having been bogged down on his last two outings. Escort'men was very impressive when winning at Kempton in February and he looks a very interesting contender for a yard with a good measure on how the juvenile form is stacking up, although this will be the quickest ground that he has faced. It's also the toughest opposition that he has encountered, so along with the solid mare La Sarrazine, they are both passed over in favour of Menorah.
Captive Audience (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Made all, jumped right 3rd and 4th, stayed on well from last, won at Ffos Las 2m NH mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Shoegazer (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Dan Breen (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, headway to lead after 3 out, edged left approaching next, soon headed, weakened approaching last, 12th of 18, 18l behind Menorah (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
General Miller 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Menorah (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Inventor (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Prominent main group, headway 2 out, ridden and effort between last 2, one pace last, 9th of 28, 11l behind Thousand Stars (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Menorah (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) In touch on inside, went 2nd when jinked left approaching 2 out, led between last 2, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure flat, just held on, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar beating Get Me Out Of Here (11-7) by hd, 18 ran.
Moonstreaker 5-2 (10-13) Keen with leader, led 4th, made rest, hit last ridden out, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating King In Waiting (11-2) by 7l, 11 ran.
Washington Irving (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, headway when not fluent 3 out, chased winner approaching next, driven and one pace when went right last, lost 2nd and weakened flat, 4th of 11, 19l behind Bygones Of Brid (11-8) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Mar.
Escort'men (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, led on bit last, ran on strongly, impressive (no time taken), won at Kempton 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb beating Frascati Park (11-2) by 14l, 9 ran.
La Sarrazine (FR) 8-11fav (11-10) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd and always travelling well approaching 2 out, led entering final furlong flat, comfortably, won at Doncaster 2m mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Bogside Theatre (10-6) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
