held up and keen, heaway to lead 2nd, headed approaching 7th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, soon weakened
prominent until lost place after 4th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out
in touch, ridden to chase winner approaching 3 out, kept on from last
with leaders and keen, lost place 9th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out
held up and keen, headway to join leader 8th, ridden and weakening in 3rd when hit 3 out
in touch, lost place approaching 8th, hit next, pulled up before 3 out
prominent until ridden and weakened 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 9th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before next
soon behind, tailed off from 9th
held up in rear, ridden and weakened 9th, pulled up 2 out
held up mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 8th, in 6th when fell 4 out
held up, ridden and headway 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden and weakened next
led, headed 2nd, led again approaching 7th, ridden approaching last, driven out
A very competitive affair on paper may go the way of Bewleys Berry, with Asian Maze and Brewster just two worthy opponents. Bewleys Berry came over from Ireland with a big reputation, and after hacking up in the River Don at Doncaster, lined up with a leading chance in the Brit Insurance Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. Unfortunately he was a faller after encountering trouble and is out to make amends here against the likes of Moulin Riche and Brewster who finished first and third respectively at the Festival. Moulin Riche, like Bewleys Berry a future chaser in the making, did nothing wrong last time and should again prove too strong for the Ian Williams inmate at least. Gold Medallist was a costly failure in the Royal & Sun Alliance Hurdle, finishing fifth in the end, but he had lined up unbeaten and and should give a better account on this flatter track. Loup Charter and Rebel Rhythm have paid to follow this term and will attract each-way support, while the Irish are well represented, especially with Teeming rain and Asian Maze. The latter has won five out of six races, will appreciate any cut in the ground, and has the assistance of Paul Carberry. She can trouble the principals as well, but we fancy Bewleys Berry to give owner Graham Wylie more success.
Bewleys Berry (IRE) 11-2 Prominent and keen, hampered and fell at the 5th in race won by Moulin Riche at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Mar, 18 ran.
Black Apalachi (IRE) 33-1 Behind, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, hung left approaching next, soon weakened, 8th of 20, 20l behind No Refuge at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Blazing Batman 250-1 Prominent, lost place 10th, soon tailed off, 15th of 20, well behind Kelami at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Brewster (IRE) 9-4fav Chased leaders, led 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, chased winner last, stayed on, 3rd of 18, 3l behind Moulin Riche at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Mar.
Ferimon 8-1 Tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, ridden to lead 2 out, hard driven and held on flat, all out near finish, won at Newbury 3m nh nov hdl (D) gs in Mar beating Get My Drift by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Football Crazy (IRE) 4-1 Prominent, keen, led 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Brewster at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Dec.
Gold Medallist 9-2jt-fav Led and hit 2nd, mistake 7th, ridden and headed after 2 out, stayed on, 5th of 20, 3 1/2l behind No Refuge at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Idle Talk (IRE) 4-9fav Made all, in command before 2 out, soon clear, eased flat, won at Lingfield 2m 7f nov hdl (D) gs in Feb beating Theatre by 7l, 4 ran.
Il Duce (IRE) 6-5fav Chased leader, hit 6th, led narrowly 4 out, headed next, rallied under pressure run-in to force dead-heat on line, won at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Mar deadheating with Bengo , 17 ran.
King Killone (IRE) 9-1 Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, just in touch when blundered and weakened 2 out, 5th of 18, 11l behind Julius Caesar at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Mar.
Loup Charter (FR) 15-8 Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 9th, led after 3 out, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Bangor 3m nov hdl (C) gs in Feb beating Reflected Glory by 9l, 5 ran.
Moulin Riche (FR) 9-1 Mid-division, headway and mistake 3 out, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Mar beating Over The Creek by 2 1/2l, 18 ran.
Rebel Rhythm 8-1 Prominent, chased leader, going well approaching 2 out, chance last, not quicken run-in, 3rd of 18, 2l behind Julius Caesar at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Mar.
Seomra Hocht (IRE) 10-1 Mid-division, 11th approaching 6 out, no extra under pressure from 4 out, 13th of 23, 31l behind Mick Divine at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Shuhood (USA) 33-1 In touch to 3rd, soon struggling, 12th of 20, 31l behind Arcalis at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Teeming Rain (IRE) 10-1 Held up on outer, 8th and pushed along approaching 4 out, 3rd after 3 out, 2nd after last, stayed on well to lead on line, won at Thurles 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 3 gs in Mar beating Sweet Kiln by a shd, 17 ran.
Asian Maze (IRE) 3-1fav Close up in 2nd, led before 4 out, clear from next, impressive, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mrs lst nov hdl sft in Mar beating Mrs Wallensky by 12l, 12 ran.
