tracked leaders and keen, ridden and every chance 2 out, ridden approaching last, no extra
in touch, led 2 out, ridden last, ran on
mid-division, ridden from 3rd, soon held
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened soon after
in rear and pulled hard, tracked clear leader from 2nd, weakened approaching 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, no impression
led and soon clear, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out and weakening
in touch, weakening approaching 4 out
Marchand D'Argent looks the pick of the two runners in the race trained by Philip Hobbs with his other representative Arniecoco lacking any hurdling experience but it is hard to get away from OCEANA GOLD, who looks the one they all have to beat. Admittedly Emma Lavelle's gelding does have to give weight away all round with a penalty to carry for his win in a novices' hurdle at Huntingdon in October but he has run with credit in both starts since then and he should appreciate the return to a more suitable surface today. Arniecoco was nothing out of the ordinary on the level but was higher rated than Mark Usher's newcomer Dynamo Dave and he has to be respected given the form of the Hobbs runners. Alan King has his team in good heart now so Shabenito has to be considered but he has shown little sign of ability so far and looks best watched. Marchand D'Argent has more to do than when winning at Taunton and a safer option looks to be Oceana Gold.
Oceana Gold 6-5fav (11-4) Chased winner, mistake 5th, beaten after 3 out, lost moderate 2nd last, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Wendel (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Marchand D'argent (FR) 5-6fav (10-12) In touch, chasing leaders and hit 3 out, challenged next, every chance when carried left flat, stayed on same pace final 100 yards, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Figurita (10-9) at Sandown 2m Am hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Shabenito (IRE) 80-1 (11-1) Always behind, 7th of 14, well behind Ikorodu Road (11-1) at Southwell 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Tigger 20-1 (11-0) Led until after 1st, chased winner until after 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, well behind Calusa Crystal (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Wahoo Sam (USA) 66-1 (11-2) Wandered and not jumped well, led, headed after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 13, well behind Samsons Son (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Wenruthlyn (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Held up, always in rear, 12th of 16, well behind Acordeon (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Arniecoco 10-1 (9-3) Mid-division, driven along 4f out, soon beaten, 7th of 15, 23l behind Tripod Molly (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jun (flat).
Bingo des Mottes (FR) 66-1 (10-2) Chased leaders until 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by King Brex (11-2) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb, 13 ran.
Bombardier Wells 33-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, some headway after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Silk Hall (11-4) at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Dynamo Dave (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, raced wide, towards rear, some headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 15l behind Postage (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo stks (7) pol in Feb (flat).
On Yer Own 200-1 (10-4) Mid-division, hanging left after 3rd, soon dropped rear, pulled up before 5th, in a race won by Pterodactyl (11-0) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Princess Arwen 250-1 (10-5) Pulled hard towards rear, pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Izita Star (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
