mid-division, lost place 5th, soon behind
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, weakened last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 6th, stayed on one pace from 3 out
in touch, headway approaching 7th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, ran on
in touch, ridden approaching 6th, soon weakened
towards rear, pushed along after 5th, ridden and headway 3 out, stayed on not reached leaders
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
led to 2nd, led again 6th, ridden and headed when hit 2 out, switched left approaching last, no extra flat
held up, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, hit last, stayed on not reached winner
mid-division, lost place 5th, no danger after
behind, headway 3rd, ridden after 7th, weakened 2 out
keen, tracked leaders, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, mistake 3rd, ridden 6th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
keen, led 2nd, headed and mistake 6th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up, effort approaching 7th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
A large field goes to post for this novices hurdle and the principals look to be Lord Payne, Global Challenge, Mickey Croke and Hilltop Harry and the tentative vote goes to Lord Payne. The selection hails from the Martin Pipe yard and is highly regarded and he will not have to be anything special to win on his debut. Global Challenge rates the main danger he was a fair fifth behind Native Ivy in a similar race last time and if he can reproduce that effort he has definite place claims. Mickey Croke is another worthy of respect on his third behind Alexanderthegreat but he has failed to complete the course on his last two starts and is passed over on this occasion. Hilltop Harry was a fair third behind Chief Witness on his last run but that was 395 days ago and he may just need the run. Of the remainder Gracilis from a shrewd yard and is worth noting in the market but for the winner we return to Lord Payne.
