held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra flat
in touch, weakening when hampered after 7th
in touch, driven from 5th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
led, stumbled 3rd, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, weakening when fell last
keen and wandered approaching 1st, lost place 3rd, ridden and headway after 4 out to chase leading trio, left for 3rd last
mid-division, jumped right 2nd, weakened 6th, hampered after 7th, ran out and crashed through rail and unseated rider 3 out
tracked leaders, keen, weakened 3 out
in rear, behind when badly hampered and unseated rider after 7th
towards rear, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, all out
headway to go in touch 2nd, 6th and driven along when slipped up on bend after 7th
Nicki Boy has to give weight away all round but Charlie Mann's gelding should be up to the task in this company and gets the vote to resume winning ways, with the main dangers looking to be Graham and Mia's Girl. The last mentioned has shown some signs of ability in two career starts but does need to improve to trouble the selection and looks booked for a place at best. Mustakhlas was no better than banded class on the level and is hard to recommend on his hurdling debut, while Cyd Charisse ran better at Fontwell last time but has 22lbs to find with the selection on official BHB ratings. Peter Bowen has his string in good order at present and his runner Graham is open to improvement but Nicki Boy has the pick of the form and he gets the vote.
Nicki Boy (GER) 5-1fav (11-12) In touch, weakened 3 out, 8th of 13, 45l behind Moon Star (11-0) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Clande Boye (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 6th, weakened after 7th, behind when fell at the last in race won by Ballamusic (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Graham (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7f out, weakened 3f out, 10th of 15, 21l behind Briscoe Place (11-4) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Sept '05.
Mustakhlas (USA) 12-1 (8-10) Led until headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 7l behind Lady Pilot (8-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Mar (Flat).
L'Apprenti Sorcier (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Held up, effort over 4f out, never dangerous, 11th of 15, 43l behind Apache Brave (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Cloudina 66-1 (11-0) Held up, never dangerous, 12th of 18, 39l behind Enforce (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Cyd Charisse 12-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd and hit last, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Sandymac (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Mia's Girl 20-1 (10-6) Raced wide, in touch, weakened 7th, well behind when fell 4 out in race won by Kavatcha (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd, 14 ran.
