in rear, outpaced 6th, well beaten next
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, close up when mistake next, ridden and kept on flat, always being held by winner
tracked leader, led 6th, pressed 2 out, ridden and always holding rival flat
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
led, not fluent 5th, headed next, weakened before 2 out
held up, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and one pace when not fluent 2 out, weakened before last
John Ferguson is obviously intent on trying to sweep up as many small novice and maiden hurdles as possible now the larger stables are beginning their summer break. FATHER EDWARD is his representative here and whilst perfectly consistent, he has been a beaten favourite on four of his last six starts although this clearly represents a clear opportunity and he does have another year of strengthening up under his belt. The obvious danger is Shwaiman, second on two of his three starts over timber but rather like the selection, he's always looked as if he possibly saves a little for himself. This could be a question of who wants it more and the Ferguson charge is narrowly preferred. Astrowolf, not disgraced on his Fontwell debut, is next best.
Ballochmyle (IRE) 125-1 (10-13) Always last, pushed along and struggling from 13th, never remotely involved, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Hunt Ball (10-13) at Fakenham 3m nh nov hdl (3) gd.
Father Edward (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, mistake 5th, challenged before 7th, led before 3 out, joined when mistake last, soon headed, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Shanroe Santos (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Shwaiman (IRE) 13-8 (10-13) Tracked winner until hit 2nd, 2nd again before 4th until next, pushed along and went 2nd again 3 out, driven after 2 out, soon no impression, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Hunt Ball (10-13) at Fakenham 3m nh nov hdl (3) gd.
Up Four It (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Soon detached, left poor 4th 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Ryeolliean (10-10) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Astrowolf 80-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 13, 22l behind Towering (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Being Global (FR) 50-1 (10-9) Jumped slowly 1st, held up, some headway5th, never in contention, went 4th latter stages, 4th of 11, 32l behind Montdragon (11-0) at Warwick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
