tracked leaders, led on bit 3 out, clear approaching 2 out, easily
prominent, hit 1st, weakened approaching 7th
with leader, jumped right 2nd, led after 4th, headed 3 out, soon beaten, weakening when switched right approaching last, hung left flat
held up in rear, pushed along after 7th, soon lost touch, no chance when hit 2 out
led, headed after 4th, hit 7th, lost 2nd and beaten when mistake 3 out, regained moderate 2nd just after 2 out, no chance with winner
pulled hard, prominent, jumped slowly 2nd, dropped rear when hung right on bend after 4th, continued jumping right, tailed off, pulled up before 7th
held up in rear, squeezed along after 4th, headway after 7th, weakened 2 out
held up, behind when awkward 7th, no chance when jumped right and hit 3 out
SAM WHISKY is the form pick to land this opener with both Gloucester and Massams Lane worth noting. The selection improved from his debut at Newbury to finish and eye catching second to Ready To Crown at Stratford last month. He seemed to benefit for the better ground conditions that day and with conditions to suit once again he is difficult to oppose. Gloucester earned himself a rating as high as 126 even though still a maiden for John Quinn. Now with Michael Scudamore he carries a penalty for winning his maiden hurdle at Fakenham back in February. Since then he has been competing in unrealistic races at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals but now dropped in grade he has to very much respected. Massams Lane was only moderate on the flat and ran only moderately in two hurdle races to date and may fair better once handicapped. This looks very much a two horse race in which we return to Sam Whiskey as the likely winner.
Gloucester 15-2 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last until no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Viscount Rossini (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Aviemore 150-1 (10-7) In rear, ridden after 6th, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Paddleyourowncanoe (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sep, 13 ran.
Bee Sting 9-1 (10-3) Raced wide, mid-division, ridden 11th, weakened next, 10th of 12, 34l behind Palos Conti (10-10) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Fintan 50-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 13th of 15, well behind Double Dash (11-5) at Ludlow 2m cond NH flat (5) sft in Jan.
Massams Lane 22-1 (10-9) Mistake 2nd, behind, no real headway from 6th, 6th of 11, 25l behind Sam Lord (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Perryston Prince 250-1 (10-11) Jumped badly right and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by The Treacle Eater (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd, 16 ran.
Sam Whiskey (GER) 9-4 (11-1) Held up, headway 4 out, close up when mistake 3 out, every chance flat, no extra, 2nd of 14, hd behind Ready To Crown (10-5) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Zi Missile (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Led, stumbled badly 1st, jinked badly right 3rd, headed after 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 26l behind Petit Fleur (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd.
