held up behind, some headway after 4 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division and keen, weakened from 3 out
mid-division and keen, steady headway from 3 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division and keen, hit 1st, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on
held up towards rear, weakened after 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, tailed off
led to 1st, chased leader, weakened from 3 out
held up in rear and not jump well, weakened from 5th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, soon headed and weakened
tracked leaders and keen, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, pushed along and weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
led from 1st and keen, headed approaching and not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
behind and mistakes, jumped right 2nd, weakened from 5th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led next, kept on well from last
tracked leaders and keen, chased winner from 2 out, kept on, always held
held up mid-division and keen, saddle slipped after 3rd, soon pulled up
held up towards rear and keen, headway before 3 out, ridden and hit last, kept on
behind, soon pushed along in rear, weakened from 5th, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear on outer, pushed along after 3rd, never dangerous
A promising start to Sheepclose's career by winning his bumper debut was tempered by two poor follow up runs, whilst Rupert Lamb has also shown glimpses of promise but is best watched until getting the hang of hurdles. Nicky Richards is likely to adopt a patient approach with Artic Night and he looks more one for the future, with similar comments applicable to Eagle Owl who hasn't looked fluent in two tries over timber so far. Jonjo O'Neill was close to picking up a win with PALACE JESTER last time out and with that run to build upon, he can score here. He showed plenty of spirit on jumps debut after a summer vacation and with fitness and jumping likely to improve for the run, he gets the vote to continue his trainer's list of winners here. Alan King has suggested Sweet Irony does very well at home and it wouldn't be a surprise to see this one make a big leap forward. Bold Sir Brian has had two decent runs in bumpers and with his dam a previous winner of the Galway Hurdle he's also got strong claims. This is a race to tread carefully in, but Palace Jester can have the last laugh.
Aitch Factor 25-1 (10-11) In touch, lost place over 8f out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Tiptoeaway (11-2) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gs in Apr.
Artic Night (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 12, 39l behind Pure Faith (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs.
Barnack 11-1 (11-0) Prominent, pushed along over 5f out, weakened 3f out, 7th of 13, 33l behind Black Annie (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (5) gf in Jun.
Bold Sir Brian (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up behind, headway over 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, kept on until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Dr Flynn (11-4) at Kelso 2m NH flat (5) gs in Mar.
Don't Call Harry 40-1 (11-2) Towards rear, some headway halfway, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 7th of 10, well behind Jukebox Melody (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft.
Eagle Owl (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Held up mid-division and keen, mistake 5th, soon pushed along, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Pure Faith (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs, 12 ran.
Errington 22-1 (10-9) Led, reminders approaching 6th, jumped right 3rd, weakened after 4 out, in 8th and well held when fell 3 out, in a race won by Habbie Simpson (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Fairynuff 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, no impresison on leaders approaching 2 out, 7th of 16, 26l behind Storm Brig (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Fred Grass 200-1 (10-7) Towards rear, jumped slowly 2nd, well behind 4th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Storm Brig (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs, 16 ran.
Hidden In Time 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened 4th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Pure Faith (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs.
Jack The Gent (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 14, well behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Nothing Ventured 66-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 5f out, 7th of 11, well behind Benartic (11-7) at Southwell 2m mdn nat hunt flt (4-6yo) (4) std in Jan.
Palace Jester 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders and keen, went 3rd after 5th, chased winner approaching 2 out and soon every chance, not quicken flat, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Lively Baron (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Rupert Lamb 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, went 2nd and hung left approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 18, 25l behind Andhaar (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Sheepclose (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) In rear, ridden 7f out, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 33l behind Arrow Barrow (11-3) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (5) sft in Apr.
Sweet Irony (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway and pecked 5th, soon chased leader, every chance 2 out, one pace last, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Skint (10-12) at Wincanton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gd.
Congella 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden 5f out, kept on from over 3f out, no impression, 8th of 15, 26l behind Elegant Touch (10-12) at Haydock 2m N H flat (6) gd.
Some Catch (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, soon ridden, weakened after 4th, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Blenheim Brook (10-12) at Hexham 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy.
