in touch, progress after 5th, ridden approaching 3f out, hanging left and weakening when not fluent throughout
chased leader, reminder after 4th, niggled along after 6th, ridden approaching 3f out, every chance when hit 2 out, weakened flat
took keen hold, prominent, rider lost iron briefly 5th weakening when jumped left and not fluent 3 out mistake last eased
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon no further progress
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, shaken up after 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon eased
tracked leaders, lost place 6th, soon slightly outpaced, rallied 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
mid-division, jumped slowly 2nd and 3rd, weakened approaching 6th
held up mid-division, headway 6th, led going well after 2 out, hit last, soon clear, easily
took keen hold, led, headed after 2 out, fourth and weakening when mistake last
held up and behind, not fluent 3rd, struggling after 5th, tailed off next
A poor maiden hurdle where Mutual Friend looks the one to beat and we will take Saviour Sand to do just that. Neither horse looks an easy ride, so it may come down to which pilot can settle their mount the better, and David Elsworth has booked A P McCoy to do the job on Saviour Sand. The gelding won off a mark of 70 on the polytrack in March and ran well considering he was a bit mulish at Market Rasen on his hurdling debut. He has plenty of improvement to come and if he behaves then he looks good enough. Mutual Friend is of similar ability on the flat to the selection and handles fast ground. If he can settle better then he would clearly have a big shout here. Dee Jay Wells has shown glimpes of form and may be good enough to make the frame, Moon Phase needs to improve a fair bit, and Punta Galera may prove a better proposition on debut. Saviour Sand gets the vote.
Alqaayid 50-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway when hampered 3 out, 5th when fell 2 out in race won by Winsley Hill (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf, 11 ran.
Depraux (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, behind when hampered and brought down at the last in race won by Castletown Boy (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in May, 8 ran.
Latif (USA) 16-1 (8-4) Dwelt, held up towards rear, raced keen, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 18l behind Directa's Digger (8-6) at Haydock 1m 6f hcap (5) gd in May (Flat).
Punta Galera (IRE) 9-2 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Bull Market (8-13) at Haydock 1m 4f hcap (5) gf in May (Flat).
Russian Mist (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, no danger when pulled up 3 out in race won by Seamies Dream (11-7) at Ballinrobe 2m mdn hdl gs in Jul, 15 ran.
Adversane 8-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 8, 26l behind Squadron (9-1) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Jul (Flat).
Dee Jay Wells 15-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, stayed on approaching last, no impression, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Sharp Dresser (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Moon Phase (USA) 22-1 (10-12) Disputed lead, led over 6f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 15, 7l behind McMurrough (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in May.
Mutual Friend (USA) 5-2 (10-7) Held up, hit 2nd, headway to dispute 3rd approaching 2 out, soon ridden and beaten, 4th of 5, 15l behind Font (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Saviour Sand (IRE) 9-4fav (10-10) Keen, led until jumped slowly 2nd, chased leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Dream Catcher (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Tobago Reef 9-1 (8-7) Soon led, pushed along over 3f out, weakening when headed over 1f out, 5th of 7, 14l behind Mon Ami (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Jan (Flat).
