held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden to chase leaders, weakened when mistake last
in touch, ridden to chase winner 3 out, weakened when hit last
never a factor
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, one pace
prominent, led after 1st, headed 3rd, ridden and out pace 7th, faded
always in rear, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, weakened 6th, lost touch and virtually pulled up flat
mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden and out pace 3 out, stayed on
always in rear
held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened close home
led, headed briefly 2nd, clear 7th, not fluent 2 out, pushed out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
never a factor
tracked leaders, weakened 6th, lost touch 3 out
The Pertemps Handicap Hurdle is typically competitive and the leading lights look to be Refinement, Dream Alliance, His Nibs and Jockser and the vote is given to Refinement. The selection showed herself to be a high-class novice when winning her first five races over hurdles and finishing a good third to Nicanor at Cheltenham before landing a three-mile handicap at Aintree. She was probably feeling the effects of a busy season when she pulled-up at Punchestown when last seen out in April and with her yard in form she is the one to beat. Dream Alliance is another that hails from a yard in good form and he was travelling like the winner when falling at Bangor last time. He still has plenty to prove but he is relatively lightly-raced and should go well. His Nibs was once quite useful and he shaped encouragingly at Warwick last time to suggest that he may be on the way back. He is one to note in the market, along with course and distance winner Jockser. He will not lack for fitness after a pipe-opener on the level at Goodwood last month and he would have definite claims on the pick of his form. However, we are happy to stick with Refinement as our choice to lead them home.
Refinement (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, 6th 5 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Nicanor (11-11) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
His Nibs (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) With leader, led 5th to 3 out, ridden to lead again 2 out, headed last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Nine De Sivola (9-7) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Le Duc (FR) 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division until blundered and unseated rider at the 8th in race won by Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr, 40 ran.
Two Miles West (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) In touch until 5th, behind when hampered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Sky's The Limit (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar, 30 ran.
Dream Alliance 8-13fav (11-7) Chased leader, led 3rd, 3 lengths clear when stumbled and fell 5 out in race won by Supreme's Legacy (11-6) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
L'Aventure (FR) 25-1 (10-1) Led to 5th, led again 20th, headed next, mistakes 22nd and 23rd, weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 30, 32l behind Run For Paddy (10-2) at Ayr 4m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Liberman (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up, weakened from 8th, tailed off, 10th of 21, well behind Refinement (10-12) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
Celtic Boy (IRE) 7-2co-fav (11-12) Held up, mistake 11th, headway 12th went 2nd and blundered 14th, chased winner approaching 2 out, stayed on well, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Mr Fluffy (10-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Aug.
Chicago Bulls (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, lost place and reminder 4th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Heir To Be (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Mar, 13 ran.
Jockser (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Held up, headway after 10th, went 2nd when slightly hampered last, soon switched right, ran on to lead close home, won at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in May beating Amicelli (11-11) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Absolut Power (GER) 7-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, led close home, all out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd beating Businessmoney Jake (10-5) by a shd, 11 ran.
Always Waining (IRE) 4-1fav (11-6) Held up, headway after 9th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Stagecoach Diamond (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in May.
Desert Tommy 4-1fav (11-4) With leader, jumped slowly 2nd, driven along from 8th, led after 3 out until after 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Always Waining (11-2) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Apr.
Gritti Palace (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Disputed lead, headed after 6th, ridden approaching 8th, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from last, 4th of 13, 7l behind Nobody Tells Me (10-13) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Mikado 13-8 (11-7) Tracking leader when blundered and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Smart Mover (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr, 7 ran.
Irishkawa Bellevue (FR) 15-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, lost place after 9th, blundered badly 11th and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Over The Blues (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs, 10 ran.
