held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon chased leading pair, kept on same pace, no impression
led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
always towards rear, never near leaders
mid-division on inside, outpaced 3 out, weakened before next
always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
mid-division on outside, headway and in touch 7th, went 2nd 3 out, led next, stayed on well (no time taken)
in touch, joined leader 7th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 2 out
with leader, lost place 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
behind, headway and in touch 8th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, weakened from next
RAVENCLAW, The Giant Bolster and Whitcombe Spirit are taken to fight out the finish in this novices' hurdle and the vote is given to Ravenclaw. The selection is having his first run for trainer Emma Lavelle but he has shown a decent level of form in Ireland and he is proven on today's ground. He won't have to improve much to win this and he gets the confident vote. The Giant Bolster was reported to be in need of the run at Market Rasen so it was a good effort to beat Night Orbit. However, that was back in November and he has been a little disappointing since. Whitcombe Spirit was a little disappointing on his hurdling debut at Lingfield but he was a fair sort on the flat and the heavy ground may have been against him last time. Buffalo Stampede is lightly-raced but he has an absence to overcome and his form so far leaves him with plenty to find. This looks a good opportunity for Ravenclaw who gets the vote.
The Giant Bolster 25-1 (11-11) Held up, in rear, headway 8th, chased winner 2 out, no impression, mistake last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 17, 6l behind Peveril (11-11) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Alteranthela (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) In rear, niggled along and detached from main group after 7th, headway on inside 2 out, not reached leaders, 5th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Sona Sasta (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Buffalo Stampede (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Always behind, hit 5th, struggling when blundered 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Mr Gardner (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Island News 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 12, 28l behind Highland Valley (11-4) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) hvy.
Pete The Feat (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 11th of 15, well behind Vivarini (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Rahy's Crown (USA) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, hit 2nd, headway after 5th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, well behind Chess Board (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sep '06.
Ravenclaw (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, progress into 4th 3 out, ridden along approaching next, 3rd and no impression before last where mistake, kept on, 3rd of 11, 12l behind For The Staff (11-12) at Wexford 3m nh nov hdl sft in Oct.
Whitcombe Spirit 7-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, held up in rear, mistake 5th, driven along after next, not fluent 3 out and weakened, 5th of 8, 25l behind Sir Kezbaah (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Annie The Doc 50-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 8, well behind Sir Kezbaah (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Jordan 33-1 (10-11) Prominent early, in mid-division 5th, disputing poor 5th when blundered 2 out, 6th of 12, well behind Sarando (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
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.
