tracked leaders, chased winner approaching 3 out, kept on, no impression
held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 5th, soon reminders, outpaced going to 3 out
led, headed approaching 5th, weakened approaching 4 out, soon pulled up
in rear and mistakes, tailed off from 4th, soon pulled up
in touch, weakened approaching 4 out
held up in touch, chased leaders in 4th approaching and blundered 3 out, soon outpaced
behind and mistakes, tailed off from 4th, pulled up 3 out
tracked leaders on inner, hit 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, soon pulled up
tracked leaders and keen, led approaching 5th, stayed on well, drew clear after 2 out
towards rear, some headway after 4 out, never dangerous
held up in mid-division, weakened from 4 out
mid-division, mistake 4th, headway approaching next, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out
held up in mid-division,weakened approaching 4 out
tracked leader, chased leaders in 3rd approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
An interesting opener where a few have claims including Santo Thomas, Raquel White and Hucking Hero, but preference is for MOGHAAYER. The Nicky Henderson-trained pick landed a maiden hurdle over course and distance two starts ago before being found out under a penalty back in novices' company at Doncaster. He carries that penalty again here in what is a weaker contest, and he doesn't mind some cut in the ground, so conditions should not pose a threat, and we will take him to come good once more. Hucking Hero has to concede weight all around and Tim Vaughan's gelding chases a cross-code hat-trick after winning a Taunton novices' hurdle, followed by a 1m 5f Lingfield handicap on the Polytrack last month. Clearly in good heart, he should be very competitive. Santo Thomas should have learned plenty from his British debut at Fontwell last month and now that Venetia Williams has had more chance to work with him he looks likely to improve. There should also be more to come from Raquel White, a mare who finished almost five lengths adrift of Hucking Hero in that Taunton contest, but who now reopposes on 6lbs better terms and looks a serious contender. Doctor Dishy is another going the right way and a market check is advised, but we will side with Moghaayer.
Hucking Hero (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway approaching 6th, led before 2 out, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Mister Stickler (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Moghaayer 11-2 (11-5) In touch, went 2nd 5th, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 11, 13l behind La Sarrazine (10-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Bay Central (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 35l behind Made In Time (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Days of Thunder (IRE) 100-1 (8-6) Soon led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 27l behind Shakalaka (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (5) pol in Feb (flat).
Dickie Valentine 40-1 (11-0) Held up, towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 14, 28l behind Real Treasure (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Doctor Disny 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost ground on front trio after 7th, stayed on well from last to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Mallusk (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
I'm In The Pink (FR) 25-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, took keen hold, some headway after 9th, jumped right and mistake 3 out, never dangerous, tailed off, 6th of 13, well behind Cannington Brook (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Moscow Jewel (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up and keen, weakened over 3f out, 13th of 14, well behind Anis Etoile (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m N H flat (6) gd in May.
Princess Zhukova (IRE) 100-1 (10-6) In rear on outside, not fluent 3rd, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Calzaghe (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) hvy in Feb, 13 ran.
Raquel White 25-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway after 4th, went 2nd before next where jumped slowly, stayed on same pace from 2 out, mistake last, 4th of 12, 5l behind Hucking Hero (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Shipboard Romance (IRE) 5-1 (10-3) Close up, effort and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last, last of 6, 19l behind Crow Spinney (10-7) at Perth 2m hdl (4) gd in May.
Catch A Cloud 14-1 (10-12) Held up, in touch approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, well behind Bocamix (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Puzzlemaster 9-4fav (10-12) Hit 1st, always behind, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Orzare (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
River Rhapsody (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always in rear, tailed off 6th, 14th of 15, well behind Black Jack Blues (11-3) at Ludlow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Santo Thomas (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3rd, closed on front pair 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, 32l behind Orzare (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Zakatal 3-1 (9-2) won at Clairefontaine(FR) 1m 6f stk gs in Aug beating Barunner (9-2) by 3l, 16 ran (flat).
