chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led approaching 2 out, ridden out
held up in touch, close 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
led, headed approaching 4th, led again before 5th, headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd and weakened rapidly between last 2, 5th when jumped very slowly and unseated rider last
held up, not fluent 4th and 8th, effort when fell 3 out
tracked leaders, raced keenly, mistake 4th, lost place, no impression when not fluent 3 out
prominent, mistake 3rd, weakened approaching next, behind when badly hampered 3 out
mid-division, effort after 4th, beaten approaching 3 out
prominent, blundered 3rd, led approaching 4th until before 5th, weakened going to 3 out
mid-division, headway after 5th, chased winner after 2 out, no impression, lost 2nd flat
mid-division, raced keenly, lost place when mistake 5th, stayed on to go 5th approaching 2 out, ran on well approaching last, went 2nd flat, closing on winner towards finish, too much to do
held up in rear, effort 5th, ridden and struggling when badly hampered 3 out
held up and behind, raced keenly, mistake 4th, never dangerous
raced keenly, in touch, weakened under pressure from 3 out
Pop and Realism both need plenty of respect despite their penalties however we like the look of Pterodactyl now dropped in trip again. Venetia Williams has had a good season and she will be hoping that Pterodactyl can score on his third start over hurdles. He ran with plenty of promise on his debut but then seemed to be found out by the step up in trip next time at Chepstow. The return to two miles will suit and the horse can land this before moving up the hurdling ladder. Souriceau will be on many people's shortlist's but his form is only average and despite a drop in trip today, he will do well to turn around the tables with Pop who beat him easily last time out. The last-named is progressive but he needed every yard to win last time out, whilst Realism won easily at Newcastle last time but this is a much tougher assignment. Option Money needs watching in the betting as this useful bumper horse makes his hurdling debut, however we are happy to side with Pterodactyl to wing in.
Pop (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 7th, went 2nd next, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Bulwark (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Realism (FR) 15-8fav (11-3) Mid-division, steady headway 5th, led before 2 out, soon clear, driven out, comfortably, won at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb beating Diamond Frontier (11-3) by 17l, 16 ran.
Souriceau (FR) 6-4fav (11-0) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 21l behind Pop (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Buckshaw (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway approaching 6th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Synchronised (10-8) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar, 14 ran.
Kack Handed 14-1 (10-11) In touch and keen, outpaced halfway, 8th of 12, 16l behind In Vino (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Katy's Classic (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Behind from 7th, 13th of 16, well behind Punchestowns (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Luce Bay 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 7th of 12, 40l behind Watch My Back (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Dec.
Ocean Fou (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, jumped right 4th, weakened 6th, 10th of 12, 37l behind Rapid Increase (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Option Money (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Held up, pushed along 6f out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 29l behind Simonside (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Sept.
Pterodactyl (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Mid-division, pecked 3rd, slightly hampered on bend after 4th, ridden 4 out to chase leaders, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out, 4th of 14, 25l behind Krackatara (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Sam McCoombe (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Prominent, pushed along over 7f out, weakened 6f out, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Blencathra Bay (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Thenford Snipe (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Blundered 6th, always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Oscar Bay (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 14 ran.
Immense (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place 3 out, 7th of 9, 26l behind Songe (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Kadouchski (FR) 4-1 (9-0) Keen, mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 13, 5l behind Me Fein (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar (Flat).
Badly Bruised (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 9th, soon weakened, no chance when pulled up 3 out in race won by Sound Accord (11-0) at Newbury 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan, 20 ran.
Whitewater Dash 40-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, struggling 7th, 7th of 14, 49l behind Tamadot (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
