led, headed 8th, led again 3 out, ridden when headed approaching 2 out and weakened
held up, headway 8th, led approaching 2 out and hit, ran on
in touch and pulled hard, led 8th, headed 3 out and weakened
tracked leader, driven 4th, weakened 8th, soon tailed off
held up, headway 7th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression
held up, not fluent 3rd, weakened 8th, soon tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
The futures of Kavatcha and Major Miller lie over fences but they're good enough to pick up races over hurdles in the meantime and can get the better of the penalised Pocket Aces and Tizzy Blue with the Pipe runner preferred. Kavatcha does have a penalty, drops in trip and has to put a heavy Uttoxeter fall behind him but he is well regarded at home and has been given plenty of time. David Pipe's string haven't been in better form all season and Kavatcha can continue the run. Tizzy Blue made a pleasing hurdling debut at Ludlow but that form is short of the level required here whilst carrying a penalty proved to be beyond Pocket Aces over course and distance last time. Rain would be in his favour as his success came on heavy ground but Major Miller appeals as a likelier threat under the prevailing conditions. He made a pleasing start to his career in 2005/6 and fitness is never a concern with runners from this yard but whether he's good enough to get the better of Kavatcha is open to doubt and the Pipe runner is the pick.
Kavatcha (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, hampered and rider lost irons briefly 1st, close up when fell at the 5th in race won by The Sliotar (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Oct, 16 ran.
Pocket Aces (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 3 out, chased winner 2 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Herecomesthetruth (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Bobby Bullock (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 9f out, stayed on at one pace final 3f, 5th of 11, 47l behind Master Overseer (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) hvy in Mar.
Sacred Bull 100-1 (10-11) Always in rear, 10th of 14, 36l behind Award Winner (10-13) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Soixante (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, hit 5th, led 4 out to 3 out, weakened 2 out, beaten when slightly hampered last, 5th of 12, 38l behind Hidden Weapon (10-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Flamehairtemptress 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened 5f out, 11th of 14, 20l behind Calaficial (11-0) at Lingfield 2m mdn nhf (6) pol in Dec.
Tizzy Blue (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, jumped right and mistake 2 out, every chance flat, no extra, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Daraz Rose (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Major Miller 11-2 (11-4) Trackled leader, hit 7th, led soon after 3 out, headed last, no extra, 4th of 14, 6l behind Opera Mundi (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb '06.
