held up, smooth headway 4 out, led on bit after 2 out, shaken up to quicken clear run-in, eased towards finish
prominent, pushed along after 7th, lost place 4 out
led, headed approaching 2nd, tracked leader, weakened approaching 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, mistake 4th, chased leaders after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, led approaching 2nd, ridden 3 out, headed after 2 out, weakened run-in
held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from 2 out
held up, hampered 8th, soon struggling, tailed off
held up mid-division, outpaced 9th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before last
held up, mistake 6th, ridden and some headway after 4 out, never on terms
Black Jack Ketchum was very impressive when winning the staying, novice¿ hurdle at Cheltenham and he is our choice to follow up here in the Sefton Novices' hurdle, while Gungado, Neptune Collonges and Money Trix may give him most to do. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained seven-year-old made it six wins from six starts when winning at Cheltenham. He traveled well throughout that race and came home strongly up the hill beating Powerstation by nine-lengths. This looks the ideal opportunity for him to pick up his first Group-One win. Gungadu just failed to give over a stone to Suzy Smith's one-eyed mare, Material World at Wincanton last time but shaped as though three-miles would be his ideal trip. He was two lengths behind Black Jack Ketchum at Cheltenham last December and may have been flattered to get that close. However he represents a top yard and may be better suited by this sharper track and so his chances are respected. Neptune Collonges also represents the Paul Nicholls-yard. He is another held on form by Black Jack Ketchum but he would be an interesting runner if there is significant rain as he clearly relishes soft ground. A potential dark horse in the race is Money Trix who travels down from the Nicky Richards stable. He has hardly been off the bridle in his three wins so far; stays all day and likes some cut in the ground. He could run a big race at a decent price but our selection remains Black Jack Ketchum.
Black Jack Ketchum (IRE) Evensfav (11-7) Close up, tracked leaders from 4 out, led on bit 2 out, shaken up before last, ridden and drew clear flat, impressive, won at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar beating Powerstation (11-7) by 9l, 19 ran.
Glasker Mill (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Mid-division, lost place 4th, soon not much room, headway 8th, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on flat, 7th of 17, 16l behind Nicanor (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Gungadu 9-4fav (11-7) In touch, ridden and outpaced 7th, stayed on from 3 out to chase winner last, ran on, 2nd of 20, 2l behind Material World (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Hard Act To Follow (IRE) 2-7fav (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway to lead after 8th, driven clear between last 2, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 3m 1f nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan beating Numero Un de Solzen (10-12) by 5l, 8 ran.
Money Trix (IRE) 4-11fav (12-2) In touch, led 7th, clear 3 out, easily, won at Kelso 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar beating Ally Shrimp (11-2) by 10l, 13 ran.
Neptune Collonges (FR) 2-11fav (11-11) Led 2nd, hit 2 out, soon ridden, driven out flat, won at Haydock 2m 7f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Five Colours (11-8) by 1l, 6 ran.
Powerstation (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 8th, driven and stayed on between last 2, no chance with winner, 2nd of 19, 9l behind Black Jack Ketchum (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar.
Rathowen (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, hit 7th, ridden and hit 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Neptune Collonges (11-11) at Haydock 2m 7f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Sharajan (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, stayed on to chase leaders 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 17, 3l behind Killaghy Castle (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Mar.
Travino (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 19, 12l behind Black Jack Ketchum (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar.
Ungaro (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on well towards finish, 6th of 30, 10l behind Sky's The Limit (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
