tracked leaders on inside, close up when stumbled on bend approaching 2 out, soon challenged, ridden and one pace when switched right between last 2, rallied flat, held towards finish
with leader on inside, led before 4 out, hard pressed 2 out, ridden and headed narrowly between last 2, every chance when not fluent last, kept on same pace flat
raced keenly, held up mid-division in touch when fell 5th
in touch, joined leader approaching 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon one pace, no extra approaching last
soon behind, reminders after 4th, lost touch 6th, tailed off
raced keenly, led to before 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
in touch on outside, lost place approaching 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
always behind, lost touch 6th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, switched outside to challenge 2 out, led narrowly between last 2, ridden and held on under pressure flat
held up behind, outpaced 4 out, 5th and beaten when blundered next, soon weakened, tailed off
Though winner Shammick Boy has scored again since, it was still disappointing to see Credit Swap fail to land the odds at Taunton last month. Doubts remain about his ability to really see out the trip over hurdles and preference is for PALACE JESTER. Though only third at Huntingdon last month, Jonjo O'Neill's charge was probably beaten by a couple of decent novices and is fancied to regain the winning thread here. Following a decent debut for Graeme McPherson at Hereford, Harry Hunt ran no sort of race at Towcester next time and was pulled up. The four-year-old doesn't look the most reliable of performers but none of the others make much appeal either in a race that shouldn't be dominated by the market principals.
Credit Swap 4-7fav (11-10) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon chasing leader, effort approaching 2 out, soon no impression, 2nd of 14, 10l behind Shammick Boy (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Palace Jester 2-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led 5th, headed when not fluent 2 out, not fluent last, no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Spirit Son (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Jan.
Backstreet Billy (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Mid-division, chased leaders briefly 3 out, weakened next, well beaten in 7th when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Buddy Holly (11-5) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Kayfton Pete 33-1 (11-3) In touch, under pressure after 4th, soon lost place, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Henry King (11-11) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Past Gambles (IRE) 150-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, never nearer, 7th of 14, 26l behind Front Of House (11-8) at Ludlow 2m NH flat (5) gd in Apr '08.
Stays All Night (FR) 150-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, led, mistake 1st, stumbled on landing and unseated rider next, in a race won by Pateese (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Tait's Clock (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Always in rear, pushed along 3rd, never dangerous, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Alcalde (11-4) at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Timber Treasure (USA) 16-1 (8-6) Slowly away, in rear, hung left over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 7l behind Ryedane (9-7) at Redcar 6f all hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep (flat).
Harry Hunt 3-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, in touch on outside, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, in a race won by Ultravox (10-5) at Towcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Royal Patriot (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 7, 6l behind Cyril The Squirrel (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov (flat).
