held up in touch, with leader, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, not chance from 2 out
always prominent, led approaching 4 out, pushed clear after 2 out, comfortably
led until headed after 4th, soon headed, weakened
held up mid-division, headway 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, hit 3rd, ridden along next, kept on from 2 out without being dangerous
mid-division jumping slowly, weakening when 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in rear when mistake 4th, soon tailed off
always behind, no chance when fell last
in touch until 4th, soon ridden, weakened
mid-divison, hit 4th, soon ridden, tailed off
not fluent 1st, soon in touch, ridden, weakened after 4th
always in rear, tailed off
in rear, some effort 4th, soon weakened
mid-division, effort 4 out, never dangerous
In the opening novice hurdle the Phillip Hobbs trained Chiaro gets the nod with Walsingham, White On Black and Daraybad rated the main dangers. He is having his first run in Britain but had good form on soft ground in France where he contested and ran well in a number of good races at Auteiul. Another French import of interest is Daraybad who races in the J P McManus colours. AP McCoy rides this Nicky Henderson-trained gelding. He has disappointed on his two racecouse appearances so far in Britain, most recently when 18 lengths behind Bureaucrat at Newbury earlier this month. Of the others, the Gary Moore-trained White On Black is one for the shortlist based on his Plumpton win last time out. He beat a well-fancied Jonjo O'Neill horse and rates as the main danger to our selection. Walsingham's experience is an advantage and he won well at Hereford in February, but we will stick with Chiaro.
Anemix (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, every chance 2 out, beaten when unseated rider 2 out in race won by Abraham Smith (10-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd, 16 ran.
Chiaro (FR) (10-3) Struggling early, hard ridden halfway, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Tidal Fury (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl Grd 1 (1) in Nov.
Walsingham (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Led and set fast pace, ridden approaching 2 out, headed 2 out, no extra approaching last, 4th of 8, 15l behind Kawagino (11-0) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
White On Black (GER) 8-1 (11-2) In touch, headway 3 out, challenged wide 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb beating Liathroidisneachta (11-2) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Angello (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakening when mistake 3 out, 6th of 15, well behind Saltango (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Arc Of Stone (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 5th, mistake 6th, weakened after next, 6th of 9, 38l behind Kildonnan (11-9) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Beths Choice 25-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, with leaders until weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Paix Eternelle (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) hvy in Feb.
Hurricane Coast 33-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up in race won by Border Castle (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec, 19 ran.
Kingtobee (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Never in contention, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Coach Lane (10-11) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Montenda 150-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 10th of 18, well behind Gentleman Jimmy (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Mr Smithers Jones 50-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 8, 23l behind Dream Alliance (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Scania Classic Thethingaboutitis gelding out of an unraced mare.
Daraybad (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Chased winner to 3 out, stayed chasing leaders in 3rd, no impression, 4th of 13, 18l behind Bureaucrat (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Kofi 66-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 13, well behind Mystery Lot (10-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Lordsbridge (USA) 66-1 (10-2) In rear, progress 6th, no further impression, 8th of 17, 31l behind Turko (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
So Long 200-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, ridden 3 out, one pace, 5th of 11, 25l behind Its A Dream (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
