held up, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, led last, comfortably
led, headed 3 out, ridden and mistake 2 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
chased leader, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed last, no extra flat
held up, ridden after 3 out, kept on to go 3rd approaching last
This is a moderate race, but it is hard to find the winner. Croker won over course and distance last August in selling company; although he has plenty of hurdling experience, he would have more of an each-way than winning chance. Right also won over this trip at Bangor on 23 March, but hasn't run since. As he needed a couple of races to get going last season, and his stablemates have tended to need their first run so far. Reggae Rhythm therefore earns the TEAMtalk vote. Richard Bevis may not have sent out a winner yet this season, but this eight-year-old could break the deadlock. He relishes easy underfoot conditions - the softer the better -and has run well over hurdles and fences in the past. He hasn't run since May, but goes well fresh. He was as high as 107 in the ratings in May, but has come down a little for this race. His jockey claims a useful 7lb from his 11st 8lb weight, which gives him the edge. The main danger would be the progressive Diamonds Will Do. He did well in events like this in Ireland before moving to Venetia Williams' yard in September. He has had two encouraging results at Hereford and Market Rasen going into this race, and knows how to get his head in front. Moreover, he has also been placed on soft ground. Despite Jonjo O'Neill's excellent current strike rate, Time 'N Tide, looks best watched. This six-year-old hasn't run since August 2001 and hasn't won since January 2000; he could be temperamental and is best watched. The lightly-raced Winged Hussar is having his first race of the season; in January he finished a good second to Shemdani at Doncaster on soft ground, so he could run into a place. The Names Bond's best form has come on good ground or faster, which would be a disadvantage here.
