led 1st, made most after, driven 3 lengths clear when not fluent last, ridden and stayed on well, flat
held up in touch, chased leading pair 5th, went 2nd before last, soon ridden, kept on under pressure in clear 2nd flat, always held
led narrowly until almost refused and jumped slowly 1st, chased leaders, mistake 5th, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next, tailed off
tracked leaders, lost place before 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up behind in touch, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, weakened after next, tailed off
pressed winner, mistake 3rd, led briefly 3 out, every chance until ridden and lost place before last, soon weakened
held up behind in touch, jumped slowly 4th, struggling when mistake next, tailed off 2 out
The opening juvenile hurdle of the new season with all seven having Flat form to their name. Luv U Whatever makes plenty of appeal but has gained all three success on Fibresand. Yet to show anything like that level on turf, it will be fascinating to see if a set of hurdles galvanises the Jo Hughes inmate returned to grass. Lindenhurst is an unusual Irish raider for this type of early season contest and might be worth a check in the market after a series of mid-division finishes on the level. Precision Strike has to be included in calculations as he arrives in good form from the Flat but it's AKDAM who gets the vote. The ex-John Oxx inmate has done well since moving from Ireland, showing up well on all three starts, including an all-weather success. Trevor Whelan claims a useful 5lb.
Akdam (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, ridden and effort when hampered inside final 2f, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Darakti (10-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f 3yo amt hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May (flat).
Lindenhurst (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden into 10th 2f out, no impression in moderate 8th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 10l behind Hail Shower (8-9) at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp pol in Oct (flat).
Luv U Whatever 3-1 (9-4) Led 1f, led again over 5f out, ridden when pressed 2f out, stayed on and in command inside final furlong, eased close home, won at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in May beating Danehill Flyer (9-7) by 3l, 6 ran (flat).
Online 100-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, last of 14, well behind Wyldfire (8-9) at Redcar 1m 1f mdn stks (5) gs in Apr (flat).
Precision Strike 14-1 (9-2) Behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, never nearer, 4th of 14, 10l behind War Lord (9-4) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May (flat).
Hi Candy (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 20l behind Nine Iron (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr (flat).
Wild Diamond (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Went right start, led early, chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened and no chance with leading duo over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Nice Story (8-9) at Chepstow 1m 2yo flls mdn auc stks (5) sft in Aug (flat).
