never dangerous, tailed off from 8th
behind, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on, nearest finish
in touch, ridden after 7th, soon beaten
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, weakened after 3 out
mid-division and keen, headway at 7th, chased winner approaching 2 out, weakened flat
always towards rear, pulled up before last
held up, steady headway from 6th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on
behind from 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 8th
never better than mid-division
always prominent, led 7th, clear approaching last, readily (hand-timed)
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on well
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, hit 6, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, eased approaching last
led, ridden and headed 7th, soon weakened
Lets Go Dutch, Wartorn, Lord Strickland and My Bold Boyo are among those with solid claims in this big-field handicap hurdle but preference is for Mounsey Castle, who looks an improving performer and is taken to complete a hat-trick. The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding may not have beaten a great deal when making hard work of landing odds of 2/5 at Stratford earlier in the month but the likely stronger pace here should suit and, with more to come, he gets the vote. Stable companion Lord Strickland has claims on the form shown when winning at Newton Abbot two starts ago but a fall since is a worry, while Wartorn has more to do than when successful in an uncompetitive handicap at Wincanton on his most recent start. Lets Go Dutch has gone up another 3lbs for his defeat behind Beyond Control at Sandown last time as does High Drama, who has been well beaten on the flat since scoring at Sedgefield. My Bold Boyo would want faster ground to be seen at his best and, while it is always difficult to rule out a Martin Pipe trained-runner, neither Modulor or Punchy make much appeal.
