held up in 5th, went 4th 7th, chased leaders and hit 3 out, chased winner soon after, no chance from 2 out, hit last, weakened to 3rd final 100 yards
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 6th, led before 3 out, in command before next, clear when hit last, eased near finish
chased leader until 6th, driven along in 3rd after 3 out, rallied before last, stayed on to well held 2nd final 100 yards
chased leading trio mistake 3rd, dropped to 4th at 7th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
wandered at some flights, led, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened rapidly, tailed off
BENMADIGAN has won more than a quarter of the hurdles races he has participated in and gets our vote here with Extreme Conviction who finished behind the selection on his latest start likely to provide a challenge and Danny Zuko looking to return to winning ways after a very disappointing last place at Hexham in June. The pick won well at Worcester in his penultimate start and although thirteen lengths behind the winner last time out when second at Market Rasen, the form has been franked as the victor has won two more races since then. Fearghal Davis has every chance of seeing off the opposition on board Benmadigan today. Extreme Conviction was nineteen lengths behind the selection when last seen and although he is a course and distance winner earlier on this year he may find this a tougher proposition than that previous effort here. Danny Zuko has also won here before but was a distance behind Crosby Jemma on his most recent appearance. We prefer the attentions of Benmadigan in this opening contest on the card.
Danny Zuko (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Held up behind, pushed along approaching 2 out, no headway and soon beaten, weakened before last, last of 7, 41l behind Crosby Jemma (11-3) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Extreme Conviction (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Mid-division, headway 3rd, mistake and chased leader 5th until after 9th, hung left approaching 3 out, not fluent and weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 19l behind Benmadigan (11-9) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Dunkelly Castle (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Towards rear, reminders after 7th, pushed along approaching next, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 23l behind Elusive Muse (10-7) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Donovan (NZ) 40-1 (9-6) Always in rear, ridden and struggling 6th, tailed off, 8th of 9, 48l behind To Arms (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
Murphys Appeal (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, reminders 4th and soon lost place, towards rear halfway and no impression after, last of 15, well behind Sir Ejay (11-6) at Downpatrick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 gd in Jul '09.
Benmadigan (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Tout Regulier (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 5f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gf.
