held up in touch, challenged 2f out, every chance last, edged right and not quickened run in
tracked leaders, left tracking leader 2nd until 4th, weakened 3 out
led, ridden after 3 out, soon headed, outpaced
in rear, pushed along 5th, weakened next
held up in touch, went 2nd 4th, led after 3 out, driven out
A novices' hurdle gets racing underway here and although good recent form is nowhere to be found it should still prove to be a competitive opener where we will side with CALAFICIAL with close competition from Sagarich and Snads of Barra. The selection ran well when fifth at Wincanton last time out. He may have still been feeling the effects of his fall when last seen here and was not showing his best form but he looked strong when last seen over course and distance before falling so may have needed the run out last time. He looks a capable sort and looks capable of victory in a race of this quality. Sagarich hasn't tasted victory since this time last year and her return to action last time out wasn't very convincing, she looked to keen there on debut for her new trainer but should do better here. She has run well in the past and if she can recapture some of her form of last year then a finish in the minors here isn't beyond her. Sands of Barra ran with credit when fourth over course and distance last time and he is capable of going one better here and making the frame. Check the market for clues who offer very little on the bare form.
Calaficial (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Held up, headway 3rd, ridden to dispute 3rd approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 26l behind Oddshoes (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Friars Gap (IRE) 150-1 (11-5) Always in rear, tailed off 3 out, 13th of 14, well behind Time For Rupert (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Little Lord West (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders and keen, jumped right 2nd, weakened 7th, 6th of 8, well behind Come Out Firing (10-13) at Towcester 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Sands of Barra (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up, went modest 5th 3 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 42l behind Night Orbit (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Vice Admiral 28-1 (10-9) Held up, mistake and rider lost iron 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, went 3rd flat, no impression with 1st 2, 3rd of 6, 31l behind Nordwind (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Silver Sprite 200-1 (10-4) Keen in rear, lost place halfway, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Can't Remember (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Sagarich (FR) 16-1 (8-0) Always behind, 9th of 10, 12l behind Agapanthus (8-10) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr (flat).
