in rear, not fluent 2nd, jumped slowly next, ridden after 6th, mistake 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off next, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 7th, challenged next, led 2 out, soon hung right, drifted right after last, stayed on well
pressed leader until after 5th, lost place after 7th, weakened next, tailed off
mid-division on outside, closed after 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led until after 8th, weakened after next, took modest 3rd near finish
took keen hold, prominent, went 2nd 5th until after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 5th, struggling after 7th, weakening when mistake next, tailed off
tracked leaders, raced keenly, challenged 8th, soon led, hit 2 out with hind legs, headed and awkward on landing, soon beaten
not fluent, took keen hold in rear, jumped left and mistake 1st, mistake 4th, lost touch after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before last
Having shaped with some promise in a red-hot Ascot bumper on his only start Nicky Henderson's PIPER ROYAL looks the one to be with in this Novice's hurdle ahead of the Paul Nicholls trained Elevense and Stromhoek from the Alan King yard. It is a bit of a concern that we've not seen the selection since his debut run but plenty of winners, including some smart types, have come out of that contest so he looks the smart choice especially with the champion booked to ride. Elevense showed some form between the flags before looking in need of his first bumper run. He should be better for the experience although his future may lie over the bigger obstacles. Stormhoek is yet to really build on his winning debut but has shown a consistency in two runs over timber. He should benefit for the better ground here so he could well improve and show his true colours. Paul Nicholls also sends out Opening Meet here who also got up in a bumper on his first start but found life tougher on his introduction to jumping last time. He should be capable of better and remains on our list. Outside this quartet the others are a little hard to recommend with confidence so if fit and well Piper Royal might be too classy for this field.
Dash of Salt 40-1 (11-4) In rear, jumped right 4th, behind 8th, hung left approaching 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Cannington Brook (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Elevenses 5-2fav (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened 3f out, 10th of 15, 25l behind Gus Macrae (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Hazy Bay 40-1 (11-4) Always rear-division, tailed off, 6th of 14, 42l behind Dusky Bob (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
Musical Wedge 250-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 7th, last of 12, well behind Ranjobaie (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Notmorebrandy (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Chased leaders until lost place before 6th, struggling in rear soon after, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Sonowyouno (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Opening Meet 5-1 (10-12) Held up, bumped 1st, hit 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Barafundle (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Royal Chatelier (FR) 40-1 (11-4) Held up, not fluent 1st, headway after 8th to chase leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 13, 42l behind Flaming Charlie (11-4) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Stormhoek (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Held up in mid division, mistake 7th, weakened soon after 3 out, 6th of 13, 37l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Madame Helga 33-1 (10-7) Chased leader to halfway, beaten over 5f out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Good Faloue (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m N H flat (6) sft in Dec.
Kiribati King (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, tailed off 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind The Minack (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Piper Royal 9-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway 4f out, onepace from over 1f out, 5th of 14, 14l behind Red Harbour (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Nov '08.
Whitcombe Spirit 16-1 (10-12) In touch, joined leader 7th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Ravenclaw (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
