held up, headway 4 out, tracking leaders when slightly hampered bend over 2 out, effort when badly hampered bend over 1 out, ridden to chase winner last, stayed on
held up mid-division, weakening when hampered bend over 2 out and brought down
led after 1st, ridden and headed 5th, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, headway on outer 3 out, hampered bend over 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat
in touch, led approaching 3 out, ridden clear last
held up in touch, ridden to chase winner 3 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, hit 2nd and 6th, beaten when hampered bend over 2 out
led 1st, chased leader, led again 5th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, close up when clipped heels and fell bend over 2 out
keen, close up, hit 2nd, chased winner 3 out, edged left bend over 2 out, driven and edged left again over 1 out, weakened approaching last
in rear, outpaced 4 out, ridden and ran on strongly flat, never near leaders
held up, hit 5th, ridden next, soon outpaced, stayed on flat
keen, in touch, hampered bend 2 out and brought down
Jericho, Monsieur and Magic Sky look the three to concentarte on in this handicap hurdle and the confident vote is given to Jericho. The selection won with plenty in hand last time out when beating Raslan and although having a penalty for that win he is still well ahead of the handicaper over hurdles compared to his chasing mark and under conditions that suit he is hard to oppose. Monsieur rates the main danger on his latest second behind Sir Boras Hawk but he is best when allowed to dominate and as he looks sure to be taken on for the lead he looks opposable on that basis. Magic Sky won well last time out when beating Jacks Craic in a chase, he returns to hurdles on fair mark and should be watched in the market. Of the remainder Rebel Raider is anothe last time out winner with place claims while Dancing Lyra looks handicaped up to his best and for the winner we are happy to return to Jericho.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Prominent, early, ridden 4th, soon struggling, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Ashley Brook (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy in Jan.
Monsieur (FR) 6-1 (12-0) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 16, 14l behind Sir Boreas Hawk (11-4) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Magic Sky (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, led 2 out, soon in command, won at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft beating Jacks Craic (11-12) by 11l, 7 ran.
Star Shot (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Always in rear, never a factor, 7th of 13, 38l behind Maharbal (10-5) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Dancing Lyra 15-2 (10-2) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when hit last, 8th of 15, 9l behind Forthright (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Feb.
Jericho III (FR) 11-4 (10-7) Led until headed briefly after 3 out, pushed clear from last, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft beating Raslan (11-0) by 6l, 8 ran.
Cheveley Flyer 16-1 (10-7) In rear, headway 6th, chased leaders next, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 8, 23l behind My Turn Now (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Rebel Raider (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 5th, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan beating Ember Dancer (11-5) by 11l, 18 ran.
