always behind, soon detatched
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, one pace
led, headed 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, kept on
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching next
towards rear, outpaced 5 out, kept on from last
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
towards rear, outpaced from 5 out
held up in mid-division, chased leaders after 5th, narrow lead when blundered and headed 3 out, upsides when stumbled and unseated rider next
tracked leaders, lost place after 7th
held up in mid-division, fell 3rd
held up towards rear, chased leaders approaching 5 out, led 3 out, headed narrowly next, soon left in lead, kept on from last
tracked leaders, fell 3rd
held up towards rear, badly hampered and brought down 3rd
chased leaders, in 3rd when fell 5th
In a tight Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle we think that STEVEYS LAD could turn consistency into a win here at the expense of last time out winners My Matilda and Solway Bee The selection has been in contention on his last three runs and the handicapper keeps putting him up in the weights. He's up again after being well held in second last time but with this faster ground likely to suit better he can go well and looks the most trustworthy in the line-up. My Matilda put an end to three successive non-completions this season to easily take Handicap Hurdle last time. That was impressive and should mean he will win off this mark but it did come on testing ground and this faster surface may not be so suitable. Solway Bee is up six pounds for a good enough victory last time. If up to the same standard he should go close but he'll have to produce his best to win under this rating. Glen Rouge has been on a progressive run of form and could reverse form on the one we've just mentioned and also get in the frame but in a tough opener we go for consistency and Steveys Lad.
Woodlands Gem (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Prominent until ridden 3rd, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Earcomesthedream (10-13) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar, 13 ran.
Solway Bee 15-2 (11-8) Prominent, led 7th, kept on well approaching last, won at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Mar beating Glen Rouge (10-7) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Bled (FR) 10-1 (10-5) With leader, tried to run out on paddock bend both circuits, led 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 8, 8l behind Solway Ally (10-7) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Steveys Lad (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) With leader, led before 7th to next, ridden to chase winner after 4 out, soon outpaced, kept on under pressure, no impression, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Lawgiver (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Montevetro 33-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 17, 18l behind Orchard King (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
General Simara 150-1 (11-1) Always in rear, ridden and weakened 3 out, last of 11, well behind Lush Life (11-6) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Paddington Bob (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, tailed off from 4 out, 7th of 10, 45l behind Overturn (11-12) at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Mar.
Abfabfong (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, took closer order 5th, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Walls Way (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
My Matilda 14-1 (10-9) Raced wide, in touch, driven and headway into 3rd after 7th, led after 3 out, clear when mistake 2 out, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) hvy in Mar beating King Raven (11-7) by 8l, 11 ran.
Glen Rouge (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Towards rear, pushed along approaching 8th, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner going to last, always held, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Solway Bee (11-8) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
All The Fashion (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Raced on inside, prominent, behind from 8th, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind My Matilda (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) hvy in Mar.
Cherryficial (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway under pressure 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge, 4th of 12, 8l behind Woodlark Island (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Blazing Tommy 28-1 (9-11) Chasing leaders when stumbled badly and nearly fell 1st, well behind and no chance after, 10th of 15, well behind Another Miracle (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
