held up in touch, headway into 3rd approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
held up in touch, tracked winner 7th, led briefly 2 out, soon ridden, no extra flat
held up, fell 4th
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leader from 3rd, left in lead 6th, headed and hit 2 out, soon led again, driven out
led, bumped by loose horse approaching 5th, carried out by loose horse 6th
Nonrunner
Catchthebug, Cava Bien and Hunting Lodge look the three to concentrate on in this tight little handicap hurdle and the narrow vote is given to Caththebug. The selection was a fair second behind Cannon Fire last time out. That form has since been franked and with this faster ground in his favour and off the same mark here he will be hard to beat. Cava Bien rates the main danger as he won with a little in hand last time out when beating Painter Man however this looks more competitive and under his penalty at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Hunting Lodge is another that could go well as he is another last time out winner. However he looks to be weighted up to his best. Grey Brother has the ability to go close if on a going day but that is a big if. Of the remainder Fontanesi is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but Caththebug looks on a fair mark and is taken to score.
Fontanesi (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, not reach leaders, 7th of 17, 11l behind Hasty Prince (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
Grey Brother 9-2 (11-12) Mid-division, hit 3rd, headway after next, close 3rd and not clear run when hit 2 out, soon switched right, kept on, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Cannon Fire (11-6) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Silver Charmer 9-2fav (11-5) Always towards rear, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Moon Catcher (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf, 11 ran.
Catchthebug (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Led, ridden after 3 out, hit 2 out, soon narrowly headed, kept on run-in, 2nd of 13, nk behind Cannon Fire (11-6) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Hunting Lodge (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Tracked clear leader, joined leader after 5th, led 3 out, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf beating Montys Island (11-0) by 9l, 6 ran.
Rathlin Island 8-1 (10-13) Always behind, tailed off from 8th, 9th of 11, well behind El Corredor (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Cava Bien 11-8jt-fav (10-5) In touch, led after 7th, ridden 3 out, ran on flat, won at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf beating Painter Man (10-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
