tracked leaders in 3rd, led approaching 3 out, ridden and 1 length up when blundered last, soon headed, not recover
tracked leader, led after 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led, hit 4th, headed after 4 out, ridden and weakened next
held up behind, hampered 2nd, struggling from 6th, tailed off
in rear, not fluent throughtout, tailed off from 5th, pulled up before 7th
held up in touch, pushed along approaching 3 out, chased leader approaching 2 out, ridden and 1 length down and staying on when left in lead soon after last, soon clear
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 6th, soon struggling
The Mark Tompkins-trained Astrolibra is going the right way over hurdles now following a couple of decent placed efforts with a ready success here last time and she has to be respected but needs to improve further to get the better of CAILIN NA RI, who gets the vote with Lady Soughton rated the best of the rest. The selection showed a consistent level of form last season before gaining a deserved first success over timber on her reappearance at Sedgefield last month and Martin Todhunter's mare has an obvious chance of following up. Peter Bowen's Tout Regulier showed improved form when landing a novices' hurdle at Exeter recently and she has to be respected but this is tougher under her penalty. Sue Smith's Coniston failed to complete on her only start in a bumper back in February 2008 and has not been seen since then so she looks best watched and of more interest may be Tim Vaughan's Lady Soughton, who showed a fair level of ability in bumpers and made a pleasing hurdling debut at Chepstow last month. She rates the main threat to the selection Cailin Na Ri, who has solid claims of winning again.
Astrolibra 4-11fav (11-0) Led 2nd, clear approaching 3 out, in no danger after, not fluent 2 out, won at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd beating Knar Mardy (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cailin Na Ri (IRE) 9-4 (10-7) Jumped well, made all, joined 3 out, travelling best and in command before 2 out, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Mr Syntax (11-0) by 7l, 6 ran.
Tout Regulier (IRE) 10-3 (10-7) Made all, set steady pace, going easily when clear 3 out, canter, won at Exeter 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gf beating Frosted Grape (10-8) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Coniston 18-1 (10-11) Always behind, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up 6f out, in a race won by Northern Blaze (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) hvy in Feb '08, 11 ran.
Just Jennings (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Tracked leader, lost place 5f out, soon outpaced, ridden and stayed on under pressure final 2f, no impression, 4th of 9, 20l behind High Benefit (10-9) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) sft in Mar.
Knar Mardy 25-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway 3rd, chased winner approaching 3 out, stayed on, no impression, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Astrolibra (11-0) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Little Miss Foozle 100-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th, always behind, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Worth A King's (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 9 ran.
Lady Soughton (IRE) 3-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, effort 3 out, no extra from next, 3rd of 7, 32l behind Flaming Gorge (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) hvy in Apr.
