held up, ridden 3 out, never on terms
held up, in rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd after 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace flat
mid-division, hampered 4 out, ridden next, soon weakened
in touch, led 2nd, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out
held up, always behind
led to 2nd, tracked leader, challenged 3 out, soon ridden, no impression when blundered last
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led next, ridden and ran on well flat
in touch, lost place 3 out, weakened when mistake last
mid-division, headway 6th, driven and effort 3 out, weakened next
held up, headway 4th, disputing 4th when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
Nonrunner
An open handicap hurdle where conditions have come right for a few of them, and we'll plump for Huka Lodge to be too good for Sherkin Island, Haut De Gamme, Hidden Bounty and Roobihoo. The selection is suited by trip and ground and ploughed through the mud to win at Carlisle when last seen out. He has gone well when fresh before, so we will side with him. Sherkin Island comes from a yard going well and reverts to hurdles after being found out by the handicapper over fences. It's entirely possible he may be able to show us more over hurdles at these weights, so he is respected. Haut De Gamme is another mudlark who reverts to hurdles from fences, and he too is potentially unexposed. However, he is probably best over further, while the same applies to Hidden Bounty and Mister Arjay, and Roobihoo is in form but also rising in the weights for a couple of defeats, making a win seem less likely. It's open, but we take Huka Lodge to be good enough.
Hidden Bounty (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) In touch, mistake 14th, headway 3 out, led run-in, stayed on well, won at Kelso 3m 1f nov chs (D) sft in Apr beating Harrovian (11-2) by 7l, 6 ran.
Haut de Gamme (FR) 25-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, steady headway from 4 out, not fluent 3 out, stayed on flat, unable to quicken close home, 2nd of 30, 1l behind Cregg House (10-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (B) gs in Apr.
Vicars Destiny 6-1 (10-10) Held up and keen, took closer order 4 out, ridden and outpaced 2 out, kept on well from last, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Omni Cosmo Touch (11-7) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Mar.
Habitual Dancer 12-1 (10-8) Made most to 3 out, outpaced by leading pair after next, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Mephisto (11-9) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Mar.
Powder Creek (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Tracked winner, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened quickly next and pulled up 3 out in race won by Giorgio (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gf in May, 4 ran.
Le Royal (FR) 20-1 (11-11) Chased leaders to 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Drumbeater (10-11) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd, 13 ran.
Better Days (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Led 2nd, headed 8th, regained lead 11th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened last, 9th of 30, 19l behind Cregg House (10-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (B) gs in Apr.
Mister Arjay (USA) 10-3 (11-0) Led 1st, remained prominent, outpaced 4th, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Mexican Pete (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gd.
Roobihoo (IRE) 5-2 (10-10) Tracked leader, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Ever Present (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Apr.
Sherkin Island (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Mistake 2nd, always towards rear, 6th of 9, 27l behind Bonus Bridge (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Dec.
Huka Lodge (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Held up in rear, took closer order halfway, chased leaders 4 out, led approaching last, ridden clear flat, won at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) hvy in Apr beating Tom Fruit (11-10) by 16l, 6 ran.
Nathos (GER) 17-2 (11-8) Behind, headway 6th, chased winner 3 out, ridden and mistake last, no impression, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Jorobaden (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd.
Little Sport (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) In touch, headway to lead 8th, headed next, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 22, 17l behind Carlovent (10-11) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Apr '03.
