led, wandered approaching 1st, mistake 3rd, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
carried head awkwardly and not looked keen after 7th, always behind
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway on inside approaching 7th, jumped slightly right 3 out, stayed on flat
raced keenly, prominent, mistake 7th, soon lost place, weakened 8th
blundered 1st, in rear, blundered badly 6th, lost touch before next
chased leaders, hit 4th, weakened approaching last
blundered 1st, held up, not fluent 6th, some headway 8th, never near leaders
started slowly, held up towards rear, some headway after 7th, no progress from next
mid-division, headway approaching 8th, went 2nd after 3 out, led between last two, not fluent last, ran on
chased leader, not fluent 6th, led 3 out, ridden and headed between last two, no extra towards finish
in rear, reminders after 2nd, mistake 5th, no chance from 7th, tailed off
Not a red hot novices' contest and the short list comprises of Ethan's Star, Cyd Charisse, Magical Quest and Time Out and the selection is Ethan's Star. Lucinda Russell snapped up the easy Gowran Park maiden hurdle winner at the Doncaster Spring Sales and he can enhance his CV on his British debut. That Gowran win in April was admittedly not a hot contest, but he slammed a 95-rated rival by 14 lengths on good ground and although a penalty here will make it more difficult it may be a good time to catch him after a decent break. Cyd Charisse can certainly be competitive, also after a break, since landing a Uttoxeter novices' hurdle in May and if she is straight enough she won't be far away. Magical Quest has rather lost his way after showing promise early last season. Philip Hobbs retains the trainers' licence for that one and therefore probably some faith in his ability, but he is best watched at present. Time Out would probably prefer a drop of juice in the ground but his best form entitles him to respect, though preference is for Ethan's Star.
Ethan's Star (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Led, headed approaching 3rd, raced in moderate 2nd after, closed and led again 4 out where slight mistake, soon clear, reduced lead 2 out, in command when mistake last, stayed on well, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f 5yo mdn hdl gd.
Bendarshaan 12-1 (11-0) Soon in rear, mistake 3rd, struggling when mistake 6th, 6th of 11, well behind Dazzling Jim (10-7) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug '06.
Clear The Way (IRE) Simply Great gelding, half-brother to Flat and hurdles winner The Kelt.
Cyd Charisse 11-4 (10-5) Towards rear, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, all out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Nicki Boy (11-5) by 2l, 12 ran.
Dream Garden 10-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, kept on same pace final 3f, 5th of 15, 14l behind Georgian King (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Go On George (IRE) Pasternak gelding, half-brother to bumper winners Go White Lightning & Dobbiesgardenworld.
Gumlayloy 150-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 11th of 12, 33l behind Artic Bliss (10-5) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Magical Quest 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 6th, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Bob Mountain (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Oxford de Lagarde (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Always prominent, ridden over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Fresh Air And Fun (10-13) at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in May.
So Many Questions (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, improved to lead before 8th, ridden and headed after 4 out, led again before 3 out, headed past 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 9, 10l behind Huncheon Paddy (9-11) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 gf in May.
Souffleur 8-1 (10-8) Not fluent and in rear, headway 3 out, went 4th next, kept on nearest finish, 4th of 14, 19l behind The Sliotar (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Time Out (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Led to 2nd, remained close-up, weakened after last, 6th of 11, 30l behind Malakiya (10-7) at Stratford 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Satan's Sister 100-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 2f out, 10th of 11, 45l behind Soul Mountain (8-9) at Haydock 1m 3f mdn stk (5) gf in Aug (Flat).
