chased leaders, chased winner after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on from last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten
held up, effort when not fluent 3 out, no impression
led after 1st, made rest, stayed on well from last
behind, pushed along, not fluent 2nd, tailed off 4 out
hampered and unseated rider 1st
in rear, hampered 1st, never dangerous, ran out before 2 out
led until after 1st, chased winner until after 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up, hit 5th, weakened approaching 6th
mid-division, mistake 4 out, weakened next, fell last
held up, jumped slow and left 1st, never dangerous
A true novice hurdle this with plenty of promising types still sorting out their jumping and while Calusa Crystal has a strong claim based on her penultimate start we side with THE PANAMA KID; Alderley Rover and Frontier Dancer are also likely contenders. The pick shook off back to back falls to run well and claim a runners up spot at Doncaster in a similar standard of event last time. He was in fine fettle in the late autumn landing one of these in the process and will certainly act on this ground. Calusa Crystal was a faller last time after losing touch with the field on similarly quick ground. Her best form over hurdles has come when the word soft appears in the going description but a return the form that saw her easily take one of these on Boxing Day will have her close again. Alderley Rover had a inauspicious start to life over obstacles falling on his first two efforts but has started to get the hang of things with steadily improving performances the latest suggesting one of these is in his future. Frontier Dancer takes a big step down in class here and has some strong enough form from those previous starts to suggest a strong challenge here but this time the confidence is with The Panama Kid.
Frontier Dancer (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 8, 32l behind Pause And Clause (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (2) sft in Feb.
The Panama Kid (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, hd behind Gold Award (10-9) at Doncaster 2m cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Alderley Rover (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Behind and not fluent, well behind 4 out, ridden and kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 16l behind Livvy Inn (10-2) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Calusa Crystal (FR) 5-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, in 5th and beaten when fell 3 out in race won by Gold Award (10-9) at Doncaster 2m cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Feb, 9 ran.
Mr Bond (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 5th and held when fell 3 out in race won by Singing Wizard (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) sft, 9 ran.
Perryston Prince Perryston View gelding out of The Pedlar.
Tachbury 100-1 (11-2) In rear and keen when unseated rider 5 out in race won by Santia (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 11 ran.
Tigger 40-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 10, 25l behind Summery Justice (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Westwire Toby (IRE) 150-1 (11-2) Always in rear, tailed off 6th, 9th of 13, well behind Phoudamour (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs.
What's Occurrin 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 36l behind Lord Larsson (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Bernshaw 150-1 (10-7) In touch, badly hampered, unable to jump 1st, continued until pulled up at the 2nd in race won by Reindeer Dippin (11-1) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) sft, 9 ran.
