tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened between last 2
held up, fell 5th
held up in touch, led after 2 out, kept on well
held up in rear, weakened and lost place from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed between last 2, lost 2nd place flat
with leader, ridden 3 out, kept on to chase winner flat, no impression
held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden and weakened quickly approaching 3 out, pulled up
held up mid-division, brought down 5th
A bad novices hurdle where confidence is low about many so MANJAM has to be a default selection against King Raven and Papradon. The son of Almutawakel was previously campaigned on soft going in France and having won back to back races at Hereford and Bangor, he could not be coming here in better form. King Raven should be fit enough this afternoon. A winner of a maiden point, he is probably much better than two below par runs at Exeter suggest. Papradon is unproven on the surface though gets on well with his young rider. Seven Stars represents an unfashionable yard that are in form so were there to be any support at longer odds, he would be worthy of interest. Let's Go Girls looked useful earlier in her career but lost her way spectacularly. Having left Jimmy Moffatt, she is now with Phillip Kirby. O'Sogood is a proven mudlark. His form of late has looked regressive though the handicapper has thankfully reacted accordingly. Andorn won on the flat for connections having left Barley Curley's training operation. Whether he acts on the ground is an imponderable. A race unlikely to be knocking the Tingle Creek off the Sunday morning pages and Manjam has been found an ideal opportunity to take the hattrick.
King Raven (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened under pressure before 3 out, 7th of 12, 28l behind Strategic Plan (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Manjam (IRE) 2-1fav (10-10) In touch, headway to lead 3 out, 2 lengths clear when not fluent last, ridden and edged left flat, held on towards finish, won at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov beating Lansdowne Princess (10-3) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Lets Go Girls 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, led approaching 5 out, headed and weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Do It For Dalkey (10-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Andorn (GER) 10-1 (11-1) In rear, kept on, never nearer, 8th of 12, 13l behind Weststern (10-6) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Papradon 17-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, chased winner after 5th, mistake next, lost 2nd 7th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 8, 42l behind The Good Guy (11-2) at Stratford 2m 3f cnd/am sll hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Seven Stars 14-1 (11-7) In touch, close 3rd before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th when mistake last, 4th of 10, 29l behind Canni Thinkaar (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
O'Sogood (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Do It For Dalkey (10-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Bluebell Flyer (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, some headway approaching 3 out, no impression, 5th of 14, 29l behind Saucy Bingo (11-9) at Newcastle 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Apr '08.
