tracked leader, driven to lead approaching 2 out, headed between last 2, soon ridden and no impression
led, held approaching 2 out, weakening when hit last
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place 5th, soon behind
not fluent, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 7th, led between last 2, ridden and stayed on well flat
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, ridden and no impression approaching next
behind when swerved left, unseated rider 4th
in touch when saddle slipped after 1st, pulled up after next
Ballyvoge gets the confident vote in this novices hurdle with Berlin Bunker and That's Rhythm rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair fourth in a better race behind Secret Ploy last time out; this looks easier and with the faster ground also in his favour he will be hard to beat. Berlin Bunker rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Sharkeys Dream but he is more exposed than the selection and he looks vulnerable under his penalty. That's Rhythm is another worthy of respect on his second behind Turnstile when last seen but the suspicion is he may just need the run after a 450 day break and he is opposable on that basis. Of the remainder, Star Fern won at up to nine furlongs on the flat in low grade and he will have to have improved for the switch to hurdles if he is to make a winning debut and with this in mind for the winner we return to Ballyvoge who will be hard to beat.
Ballyvoge (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, mistake and ridden 8th, no impression when hit 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 6, well behind Secret Ploy (10-12) at Kempton 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Berlin Bunker (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Made all, clear approaching 2 out, all out, won at Hexham 3m nov hdl (4) sft beating Sharkeys Dream (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Faithisflying 150-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 15, 29l behind Folk Tune (10-7) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Hedchester 50-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway halfway, weakened 3 out, 9th of 13, 25l behind Raining Horse (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Master Bury 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leader until weakened 5th, soon tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Ramsden Boy (10-9) at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Star Fern 15-2 (9-0) Started very slowly, always behind, 11th of 12, 33l behind Norwegian (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Dec (Flat).
That's Rhythm (FR) 25-1 (11-1) Held towards rear, headway approaching omitted hurdle 2 out, kept on from last to chase winner, no impression, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Turnstile (11-13) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan '06.
Young Bull (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, weakened 3 out, 10th of 15, well behind Marine Life (10-12) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Luvinyou 100-1 (10-0) In rear when pulled up at the 4th in race won by Wee Forbees (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Niza d'Alm (FR) 250-1 (10-6) Mid-division when blundered badly and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by John Forbes (11-6) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) sft, 14 ran.
Fred Bojangals (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) In touch, led after 2nd, headed next, chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 13th of 17, 44l behind Cedrus Libani (11-11) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
