tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, stayed on
led and soon clear until headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders in 5th and beaten when fell 3 out
held up and keen, tailed off when fell 3 out
held up, mistake 3rd, chased leader approaching 3 out, led flat, pushed out
held up, weakening when jumped left 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, no impression
mid-division, hit 1st, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
This could lie between The Panama Kid, Gold Award and CALUSA CRYSTAL, and it is the last-named who is given the vote. A winner when last seen at Wincanton, Phillip Hobbs' mare is penalised accordingly in this race as she takes on the boys once again. Her beating of Santia reads fairly well and with the stable in form she can progress once again with a good conditional on board. The main danger could turn out to be hurdling newcomer Gold Award. Owned by the Queen, this son of Daylami was not disgraced in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham a year ago. If he is able to translate that ability to hurdles, and all is well after a long absence, then he must be a major player. Also on the shortlist is The Panama Kid. He has taken a fall on his last two runs but the form of his second to Benfleet Boy reads well, as indeed does his beating of the subsequent winner Son Of Flicka. At a price Bardolet may put up a better show now dropped in trip as he showed ability in bumpers, however in a fair opener we will return to the half-sister to Mahogany Blaze, Calusa Crystal, to take all the beating.
The Panama Kid (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Led, ridden when hit 2 out, headed when fell at the last in race won by Fushe Jo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 18 ran.
Autumn Harvest 12-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 16, 37l behind Acordeon (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs.
Bardolet (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 7th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Edgbriar (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan, 21 ran.
Calusa Crystal (FR) 6-1 (10-10) Prominent, led after 3 out, driven clear from 2 out, readily, won at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Santia (10-10) by 8l, 18 ran.
Fenwick Sands 16-1 (10-13) Towards rear, some headway over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 14, 31l behind Kealshore Lass (10-0) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Gold Award 12-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, niggled along halfway, ran green but stayed on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 9th of 23, 14l behind Cousin Vinny (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Not Talking (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 6f out, never dangerous, 11th of 14, well behind Vivona Hill (11-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Raider of The East (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Raced keenly in touch, outpaced approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on approaching last, no impression, 4th of 14, 9l behind Time For Rupert (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Noz (IRE) 150-1 (10-4) Held up behind, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 17l behind Switched Off (10-0) at Southwell 2m nhf (5) gs.
