led and jumped wide, clear 3rd until ridden and hit 3 out, headed and no extra flat
held up, headway to go 2nd approaching 9th, ridden and hung left from 3 out, every chance last, no extra flat
always behind
held up, ridden and hung left approaching 3 out, soon weakended
chased leaders, pushed along 3 out, ridden to lead flat, ran on
chased leader to 8th, in rear when went lame and pulled up before 9th
Progressive, Don't Ask Me and Totheroadyouvgone look the three to concentrate on in this tight handicap hurdle and the vote is given to Progressive. The selection was a fair fifth behind Miss Skippy in a better race last time out, this looks easier and with the small field also in his favour he looks the one to be on. Don't Ask Me rates the main danger on his first run of the season but he has since disappointed, however it would be no surprise if he improved for the fitting of first time cheek pieces and tongue tie and he should be watched in the market. Totheroadyouvgone was a fair second behind Celtic Boy last time and is sure to strip fitter here but hi best form is over a slightly longer trip and he is passed over for that reason. Of the remainder Smart Boy Prince is dropping in class and is another to note in the market but for the winner we return to Progressive.
Smart Boy Prince (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Held up, tracked leaders 4th, led 6th until fell 3 out in race won by Court One (10-2) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in May, 8 ran.
Progressive (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 9th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 7l behind Miss Skippy (11-3) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Don't Ask Me (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Mistakes, mid-division, never dangerous, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Miss Skippy (11-3) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf, 12 ran.
Celtic Blaze (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Towards rear, hampered 3rd, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 18l behind Rabbit (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gf.
Potts of Magic 25-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching next, weakened approaching last, 7th of 12, 9l behind Miss Skippy (11-3) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Totheroadyouvgone 16-1 (10-3) Towards rear, ridden 12th, some progress soon after, hampered and left 2nd last, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Celtic Boy (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
