chasing leaders in 4th, when blundered and unseated rider 3rd
made all, shaken up approaching last, ran on well
pulled hard, steadied rear, headway after 1st, slow jump next, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, chased winner after 3rd, every chance 2 out, not quicken run-in
in touch, bumped 3rd, ridden, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
chased winner to after 3rd, hard ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
in rear, well behind 4 out, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
behind, hampered 3rd, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
behind, headway 3rd, weakened 3 out
A truly uninspiring selling hurdle with little form to go on, but we will side with Assoon, the best of a bad lot. Of the others, Montesino and Little Rort represent the main threat. The Gary Moore-trained gelding won a claimer at Plumpton last November and has been running in better company than this recently. On that form he is entitled to go off a short priced favourite. It is difficult to get excited about the rest of the field, however Little Rort won a minor race at Towcester last April and if rediscovering that form could give Assoon a run for his money. Montesino could run into a place at a big price, but Assoon is a confident pick in a bad race.
Assoon 13-2 (11-10) Soon led, headed 5th, ridden, weakened 7th, 7th of 14, 36l behind Marrel (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Little Rort (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Led, ridden and weakened 5th pulled up at the last in race won by Indian Star (10-12) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (G) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Can Can Flyer (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Took keen hold in rear, lost touch before 6th, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Temoin (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Graig Hill Cracker (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) In touch, ran wide after 2f, soon back in touch to chase leaders 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, well behind Leading Contender (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) gs in Oct.
Montesino 66-1 (11-5) In touch, chased leader after 5th until 8th, soon struggling pulled up 3 out in race won by Kilty Storm (10-13) at Newbury 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Pipers Legend 50-1 (11-1) Always behind, tailed off from 3 out, 11th of 16, well behind Sistema (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gd.
Sunny Daze 18-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, ridden 5th, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 11, 17l behind Benefit Fund (11-2) at Southwell 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Firebird Rising (USA) 100-1 (10-10) Held up, keen, headway after 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 17, 28l behind Ambersong (11-13) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gf in Feb.
Silk Appeal 100-1 (9-13) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Oscatello (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd, 14 ran.
Thespian Lady 66-1 (9-11) Chased winner until 3rd, behind from next, 6th of 9, well behind Buena Vista (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gf in Jun.
