always behind, tailed off after 6th
mid-division, closed after 6th, not fluent and weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd behind clear leader 3rd, closed 5th, led next, joined 3 out, not fluent next, driven out
chased leaders, went left 1st, pressed winner 6th until before 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway travelling very strongly 6th, challenged winner 3 out, hit 2 out, ridden before last, held towards finish
chased leader, went left and bumped 1st, hampered by loose horse next, lost 2nd 3rd, weakened after 6th, tailed off
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, mistake 5th, headway approaching 3 out, mistake when 3rd 2 out, stayed on flat, unable to reach front pair
took keen hold, soon led, clear after 2nd until after 5th, headed and weakened next, tailed off when pulled up soon after
mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway when jumped right 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
Russian George looks the pick of the three newcomers in this maiden hurdle ahead of Echo Dancer and Laurollie having run well off a mark of 82 on his most recent start on the level in a handicap at Ripon but hurdling experience may prove to be decisive and a better bet looks to be HERON BAY, who is preferred to Phoenix Flight. The last mentioned was disputing second before falling two out on his hurdling debut at Stratford in March but was a comfortable winner of a Newbury handicap on the flat last month and he could be of interest back over timber today following that run. Michael Hourigan's Hi Wycombe has been well held in all three starts over hurdles and of more interest is Tony Martin's Elcanos, who should appreciate the drop back in trip and any market support for him would be of interest. Preference though is for Peter Bowen's Heron Bay, who showed a decent level of form on the level for Chris Wall and lost no caste in defeat on his hurdling debut for new connections when a close second over course and distance last month; he can go one better today. (Nick Millard)
Aughcarra (IRE) 250-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten, 11th of 12, 47l behind Clerk's Choice (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Elcanos (GER) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, headway 4 out, tracked leading pair next, disputed 2nd 2 out until ridden and outpaced between last 2, 3rd and beaten when jumped right and mistake last, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 28l behind Nedzer's Return (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Heron Bay 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inner, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Praxiteles (10-12) at Aintree 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Hi Wycombe (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, 8th approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 7th of 14, 18l behind Split Ear (10-11) at Ballinrobe 2m hcp hdl 80-102 gd in May.
Phoenix Flight (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear and keen, headway to chase leaders in 3rd approaching 7th, 7 lengths down and disputing 2nd when ridden and fell 2 out, in a race won by Stratigic Gale (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 7 ran.
Solway Dornal 100-1 (10-7) Behind, struggling 4th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 6th, in a race won by Nedzer's Return (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May, 11 ran.
Echo Dancer 100-1 (9-2) Led after 1f, headed 3f out, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, eased final furlong, last of 11, 47l behind Bernix (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr (flat).
Russian George (IRE) 9-2 (8-6) Dwelt, behind, driven over 3f out, headway when hung right over 1f out, never on terms, 4th of 8, 3l behind Oneofapear (8-11) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May (flat).
Laurollie 10-1 (10-10) Held up, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 11l behind Danelor (11-1) at Southwell 1m 3f Am hcp (6) fbs in Feb '07 (flat).
Miss Markham (IRE) 150-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, took keen hold, well behind after 6th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Onemix (9-13) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in May.
