chased leaders, hit 3 out, went 2nd approaching 5th, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, went 3rd approaching 2 out, hit last, soon weakened
in rear, reminders after 3rd, weakened from 5th
chased leader, outpaced from 3 out and soon pushed along, ran on from last, led towards finish
held up, chased leaders from 3 out, not fluent 2 out, challenged last, not quicken
held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out
towards rear, weakened from 5th
held up, weakened from 5th, pulled up after next
held up, ridden after 3 out soon weakened
led, ridden approaching last, headed towards finish
BLUE NYMPH impressed on her hurdling bow at Doncaster and looks a good recruit to the yard; Veronicas Boy and Open Day are feared most. John Quinn's Selkirk filly showed a really likeable attitude on Town Moor and there is plenty of improvement to come. The forecast ground looks ideal and although the favourite in her last race underperformed, the form looks solid at this stage. Astracad shaped with lots of promise behind Bothy on his hurdling bow and the booking of Timmy Murphy looks very interesting, Everaard wasn't a disaster on the flat but has lots to find with the selection on hurdling form, whilst Open Day looks a bigger threat. This son of Oscar shaped with promise behind Diktalina at Folkestone last month and his bumper form alone would give him a solid chance here. Venetia Williams won with a hurdling debutant the other day so French recruit Pool Of Knowledge is respected, along with Park Lane who was rated in the 80's on the flat and has joined a top yard. Sitwell was not as good on the level but he shaped ok at Southwell on his bow over timber, Veronicas Boy has plenty of experience over hurdles but he looks a bit trip-less. State General was regressive on the flat and will really need to improve for the obstacles, however it is Blue Nymph who gets the nod.
Astracad (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, hit 2nd, outpaced 3 out, chased leaders next, no extra from last, 5th of 9, 8l behind Bothy (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Blue Nymph 7-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan beating Barwell Bridge (11-4) by 2l, 16 ran.
Everaard (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 16, 22l behind Blue Nymph (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Open Day (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders after next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Diktalina (10-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f Juvenile Maiden Hurdle (4yo) (4) sft in Jan.
Park Lane 10-1 (9-0) Held up, moderate late headway, never in contention, 10th of 13, 10l behind Mac's Power (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep (flat).
Pool Of Knowledge (FR) (9-4) 5th of 9, 8l behind Sokar (8-11) at Nantes(FR) 1m stk gs in Oct (flat).
Sitwell 22-1 (10-7) Jumped big early, tracked leaders, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 37l behind Tocca Ferro (11-4) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
State General (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Mid-divison, weakened quickly over 3f out, pulled up over 2f out, in a race won by Starla Dancer (8-11) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct, 19 ran (flat).
Transformer (IRE) 5-2fav (9-6) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Mellow Mixture (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct (flat).
Veronicas Boy 14-1 (10-12) Made most to 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Stormy Weather (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
