Verdict
Unbeaten in bumpers and twice a winner on the Flat, KEYS is a cut above today's opposition judged on his hurdling debut at Aintree in December. He found only the progressive Cinders And Ashes too good on that occasion and can open his account over timber today. Becausewecan was a decent handicapper on the level and has fared quite well in a couple of starts over hurdles, while Venitzia has shown more promise over obstacles so far than Mia Matriarch, though both were of similar ability in bumpers. Edmund posted a better effort in a bumper last time and there should be more to come from him and Mill Bay now hurdling for the first time.
Formwatch
Becausewecan (USA) 9-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led 2nd until mistake and headed 3 out, chased leader until mistake 2 out, weakened soon after, blundered last, 3rd of 13, 17l behind Nagpur (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Chookie Hamilton 7-1 (11-1) Tracked leader until dropped to 3rd before 5th, driven and lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, last of 4, 31l behind Trucking Along (11-1) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Edinburgh Gin Time 150-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind, pulled up before last, in a race won by Brindisi Breeze (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Edmund (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Prominent, took keen hold, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 9l behind Swinging Sultan (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
Keys (IRE) 6-4 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, mistake 5th, headway after next, close up when not fluent 3 out, soon switched left, ridden to press winner last, no impression final 200 yards, one pace, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Cinders And Ashes (11-7) at Aintree 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Mill Bay 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Lexi's Boy (10-7) at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Venitzia (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division, wandered 1st, headway approaching 4th, close up after 3 out, no extra last, 5th of 12, 16l behind The Weatherman (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Mia Matriarch 40-1 (10-5) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, well behind Into Wain (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
