tracked leaders, reminders approaching 5th, ridden after 4 out, in 3rd when blundered last, soon weakened
held up, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
tracked winner, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened next
in touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened
made all, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on
held up and keen, ridden after 5th, weakened next
held up in rear, ridden and some headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, went 2nd and jumped badly left last, hung left and kept on same pace run-in
pulled hard, tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
Barney McAll looks an interesting recruit to the novice hurdling ranks and, along with Jonjo O'Neill's Tigers Lair, has to be respected but preference is for Mister Arjay, who is taken to defy his penalty. Brian Ellison has his string in good form at present and this son of Mister Baileys, a winner at Hexham last month, comes here fit from a more recent run on the level. He has proven form over timber and that is what gives him the edge over Barney McAll, who is rated the best part of a stone better than the selection on the flat. The former Amanda Perrett-trained inmate has not been seen since August and lack of a recent run, not to mention hurdling experience, puts us off him. Tigers Lair had shown promise in bumpers prior to an encouraging debut over hurdles at Chepstow recently but two miles on this sharp track may not provide a sufficient test of stamina for the five-year-old. Debbie has more to do than when landing a weak affair at Wetherby last time and a bigger threat may come from Peter Beaumont's Hutch, who hails from a stable hitting form. Mister Arjay has plenty in his favour though and gets the vote.
