in touch until 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 8
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
in touch, hit 3rd, chased winner 8th to 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
not fluent, led to 2nd, led against 3rd to 5th, reminders after next, weakened after 8th
keen, tracked leaders to 8th, soon weakened, tailed off 9th, virtually pulled up flat
tracked leaders, reminders after 6th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
held up, headway after 7th, weakened after next, tailed off when hampered 9th, soon pulled up
held up, ridden, some headway after 8th, 4th, 15 lengths down when fell 9th
led 2nd to 3rd, led again 5th, ridden approaching 9th, clear 3 out, stayed on gamely
mid-division, headway 8th, went 2nd 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened last
The Painkiller, Opare and Hold The Bid are the three to consider here and The Painkiller can follow up a promising debut and take this. The Painkiller was sent off an outsider for his debut but ran a blinder to be beaten only a length in a similar contest at Worcester. He only needs to show normal improvement to play a part here. Opare showed little in two bumpers but stepped up on that when finishing fourth on his hurdling bow. Henry Daly's runners always come on for their seasonal debut and he can reach a place. Hold The Bid hails from a stable in form and he ran well to be third in an Aintree novice hurdle and occupied the same position at Carlisle. He can go well. The Painkiller may prove too good for him however.
Brooking (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) In rear, lost touch 6th, 11th of 16, well behind Carnival Town (10-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs.
Conemara Breeze 11-1 (10-6) Held up, lost touch 6th, tailed off from 2 out, 7th of 8, well behind Barney (9-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in May.
Hold The Bid (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Prominent, effort approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Hockenheim (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Ikemba (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Fell in race won by An Capall Dubh (11-11) at Bangor 3m hts chs (6) sft in Apr, 10 ran.
Opare (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 11, 27l behind Port Of Mogan (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Quinta de Lobo 200-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, reminders after 4th, weakened 4 out, 12th of 15, well behind Nevertika (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
San Luca (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened over 4f out, 10th of 16, well behind Skippers Brig (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy.
Silver Feather (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 17, 23l behind Ellerslie George (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd.
The Painkiller (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Prominent, ridden approaching 8th, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied flat, stayed on well, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Curragh View (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
The Risky Viking (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked clear leading pair, not jumped well, blundered 13th, soon ridden, weakened, behind when bad mistake 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Yes Sir (11-8) at N Abbot 3m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Aug, 7 ran.
