mid-division, headway to lead before 5th, hard pressed from 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat
raced wide, led to 4th, effort 3 out, no impression from next
held up towards rear, headway when hit 3 out, challenged next, ridden and every chance until no extra flat, lost 2nd near finish
chased leaders, effort 3 out, weakened next
held up, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly flat, went 2nd near finish
tracked leader, led 4th to before next, effort 3 out, no impression from next
raced keenly in touch, outpaced after 3 out, ridden and weakened next
mid-division, driven 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, never nearer
held up, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off 5th, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, lost place 5th, no danger after
always behind
Modicum gets the confident vote in this handicap hurdle with Calculaite and Abstract Folly rating the main dangers. The selection was a good second behind the highly regarded Mendo last time outs, still looks well weighted on his best form despite top weight and under conditions that suit he looks the one to be on. Calculaite rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating English City but this looks tougher and he looks vulnerable under his penalty. Abstract Folly is another that could go well on his latest second behind Gringo but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip. Of the remainder Daldini has conditions to suit but looks weighted up to his best anmd with this in mind for the winner we return to Modicum who looks progressive.
Modicum (USA) 5-1 (11-1) Close up, led and pecked 6th, 2 lengths clear last, soon ridden, no extra when caught close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Mendo (11-0) at Ascot 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Lord Baskerville 40-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, 6th of 19, 16l behind Adopted Hero (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Calculaite 4-1jt-fav (11-7) Mid-division, headway 3 out, effort when not much room approaching next, ridden to lead last, held on, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr beating English City (10-3) by a hd, 16 ran.
Daldini 12-1 (10-4) Raced keenly, chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, well behind Lennon (11-5) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Apr.
Aviation 18-1 (11-2) In touch, tracked leader 4th, led after 4 out, headed next, weakened approaching last, 5th of 12, 14l behind Wot Way Chief (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Sir Night (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Prominent, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Majorca (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Reaching Out (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Keen, in touch, hampered bend 2 out and brought down brought down 2 out in race won by Festive Chimes (11-2) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Low Cloud 20-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden and effort 2 out, every chance last, no extra flat, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Calculaite (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Abstract Folly (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent and led 4 out, headed after last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Gringo (11-7) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Farne Isle 33-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 17, 39l behind Joan's Girl (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Mr Ex (ARG) 11-4fav (11-0) In touch, not fluent 2nd, slow jump, lost place and pulled up 4 out in race won by Arthurs Dream (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gf in Apr, 16 ran.
Macchiato 25-1 (10-9) Chased winner throughout, ridden 2 out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Dream Castle (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Campli (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Always behind, 13th of 20, well behind Accordello (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
