in touch, ridden to challenge soon after 2 out, led run-in, ridden out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before last
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
prominent, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed run-in, kept on
tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened quickly
held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders until weakened after 7th
always behind, pulled up before last
towards rear, headway 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace
mid-division until weakened 2out
mid-division, driven along from 6th, headway into 5th 2 out, stayed on
behind from 3rd, tailed off
mid-division until weakened after 3 out, tailed off
behind, driven along from 5th, stayed on past beaten horses from 2 out, not reach leaders
chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out
A very competitive handicap hurdle in which many have claims, however we will side with Moorlands Return, with Bannow Strand and English Jim on the shortlist. The selection was only beaten half a length by the well-treated Schuh Shine 17 days ago, and with that one franking the form by a wide margin since, he looks sure to go close. He showed that day that he handles all conditions, and with the up-and-coming Tom O'Brien on board again, we will put our faith in him. A big danger could be David Pipe's enigmatic gelding Bannow Strand. A monster of a horse, he returns to hurdling off a mark two stone below his chase debut and must go close if in a willing mood. English Jim is a model of consistency, however he has paid the price with the handicapper for that and so is passed over for a win bet, although he could run into a place yet again. Of the rest, Phareight Dei has claims on his recent win, but his overall record is uninspiring and at 9-years-old it is debatable whether he is open to much improvement. Heavy Weather is another with claims, but didn't stay when upped in trip last time out so stamina can not be assured, and so we will return to Moorlands Return as our tentative selection.
Knighton Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, hampered 3 out, ridden to lead last, driven out, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Feb beating Mayoun (10-4) by a hd, 13 ran.
Heavy Weather (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division and keen, headway 7th, led 4 out, headed next, close up when ridden 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 15, 10l behind Before Dark (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Dinnie Flanagan (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Made all, hung left after 5th, ridden 2 out, stayed on gamely, won at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov beating Longueville Manor (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Seeador 20-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 4 out, one pace soon after, jumped right last, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Before Dark (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Bannow Strand (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Led, clear after 3rd, headed 12th, prominent, every chance 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up at the last in race won by Exotic Dancer (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 5th, hampered on bend after 8th, ridden and staying on when hampered approaching last, switched left and not recover, 5th of 17, 13l behind The Real Deal (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Blakeney Run 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Supreme Huntress (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
English Jim (IRE) 11-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Alfasonic (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy.
Mickey Pearce (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Pulled hard mid-division, weakened 3 out, 6th of 18, 29l behind Malko De Beaumont (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Roman Rampage 6-1 (11-5) Raced wide, close up, headway to track leader 3 out, closed to lead well before last, pushed out, won at Folkestone 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft beating Madison Avenue (11-10) by 2l, 11 ran.
Moorlands Return 11-4 (10-7) In touch, headway approaching 5th every chance from 2 out stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Schuh Shine (11-7) at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Almavara (USA) 25-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 9th of 15, well behind Schuh Shine (11-7) at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Lowe Go 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division until fell in race won by Alcatras (10-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Star Time (IRE) 7-2 (9-9) Tracked leader, pushed along 8th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 35l behind Zaffie Parson (10-10) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Manque Neuf 10-3 (10-13) Mistakes, tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led 8th, headed before 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Businessmoney Jake (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Nov '05.
Men Of Destiny (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, mistake 6th, soon behind, 5th of 15, 43l behind Schuh Shine (11-7) at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Shining Joy (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) With leaders, led 6th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, well behind Chickapeakray (11-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Phareight Dei (IRE) 11-4fav (10-3) Prominent, led 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, ran on gamely from 2 out, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy beating Georges Boy (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
