mid-division, headway 7th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed last, not quicken flat
held up, headway 7th, led last, ridden out
in touch, ridden after 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway approaching 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon weakened
prominent, hampered 4th, ridden after 7th, weakened quickly 8th
prominent and jumped right, led after 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out
always behind, blundered 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, mistake 2nd, ridden 8th, weakened 9th
mid-division, ridden after 9th, soon weakened
led to after 3rd, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
keen, mid-division, headway after 3rd, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
mid-division, headway 6th, weakened next
Piran can make up for his recent fall at this course by winning the opening novices' hurdle; Waterloo Son and Darn Good may give him the most to do. The Evan Williams-trained four-year-old was travelling best of all when crashing out at the final flight at Ludlow last month. He looked the likely winner before falling that day and had previously recorded a win over this course and distance in January. He is a confident selection to return to winning ways today. Waterloo Son steps up in trip following a good second to Oscatello at Hereford last month. He will be seen to better effect over fences but the Henry Daly-trained gelding looks the biggest danger to our selection. A repeat performance by Darn Good of his recent run over this course and distance would see him go close. He was second to Lyes Green that day on fast ground. However, that was his best performance for some time, he is still a maiden and may have to settle for a place again today. Our choice in the first is Piran.
Waterloo Son (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Always prominent, every chance 2 out, beaten when mistake last, 2nd of 14, 13l behind Oscatello (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Piran (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Held up, headway 7th, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden to challenge when fell at the last in race won by Gan Eagla (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Alderman Rose 66-1 (11-2) Mistake 2nd, always behind, 11th of 20, 38l behind Nobody Tells Me (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Allborn Lad (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Always behind, ridden, struggling after 5th, soon tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Dusky Lord (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Back With A Bang (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Harrycone Lewis (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb, 13 ran.
Cloneybrien Boy (IRE) 50-1 (9-12) fell at the 2nd in race won by He's The Gaffer (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
Darn Good 25-1 (11-2) Chased leader, every chance 3 out, slightly outpaced 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Lyes Green (11-8) at Ludlow 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Fieldings Society (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) With leader for 5f, soon pushed along, weakened over 5f out, 8th of 11, 29l behind Crashtown Leader (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) sft in Nov '04.
Hollywood Henry (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 14, 37l behind Surdoue (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3f banded stk (7) fbs in Jan (Flat).
Mr Smithers Jones 150-1 (11-0) Mid-divison, hit 4th, soon ridden, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Chiaro (11-7) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Northern Link (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Soon struggling in rear, tailed off from 7th, 10th of 15, well behind Saltango (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Oakfield Legend 150-1 (11-2) Always behind, mistake 4th, tailed off from 9th, 6th of 9, well behind Hot 'n' Holy (11-2) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Tight Corner (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) In touch to 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Aces Four (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb, 16 ran.
Toothill Gunner 125-1 (10-7) Prominent and keen, mistake 1st, behind from 3rd, struggling when jumped right and blundered 4th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Temple Place (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
Little Word 16-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, hit 4th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Silverio (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
