help up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway 3 out, soon prominent, led approaching and blundered 2 out, soon ridden, headed, no extra close home
mid-division, headway 4 out, every chance when hampered 2 out, weakened last
with leader, weakened 4 out
took keen hold, mid-division, headway 8th, led soon after 3 out, headed before next, soon outpaced
held up, headway 9th, chased leader 3 out, weakening when hit next
held up in touch, ridden, weakened 3 out
held up mid-division, travelled strongly, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ran on to lead closing stages, driven out
behind, jumped right 1st, mistake 3rd, never dangerous
led until headed after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out
mid-division, under pressure after 7th, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
raced keenly in mid-division, mistake 8th, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance from last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, mistake 6th and 8th, every chance 3 out, not much room approaching next, soon weakened
held up in rear, some headway from 2nd last, never on terms
Psychomodo should take all the beating here unless Earth Crystal or Pharanto prove to be out of the ordinary. Brendan Powell's gelding won over course and distance in November before failing to defy his penalty at Exeter. Time may tell that he was facing an impossible task that day in trying to concede 12lbs to Lodge Lane. The winner went on to beat impressive Leamington Hurdle winner Carruthers next time and the form looks rock solid. Providing that his Sandown fall hasn't affected his confidence it's hard to look beyond him. Earth Crystal failed to win a point in Ireland but was well regarded whilst stablemate Pharanto, winner of a Towcester bumper, should also be able to make his mark over hurdles. Overclear and Alternator rate mentions but have plenty to find on the book and clear preference is for Psychomodo.
Overclear 25-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 7th, chased leaders 3 out, every chance after next, hit last, led flat, hung left under pressure towards finish, all out, won at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Dec beating Or Bleu (10-12) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Psychomodo 20-1 (11-7) In touch when fell at the 3rd in race won by Breedsbreeze (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft, 10 ran.
Forest Silver 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, blundered 3 out, soon under pressure and weakened, 10th of 17, 42l behind Irish Legend (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Alternator (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, headway after 8th, ridden 3 out, weakened when not fluent 2 out, 8th of 15, 17l behind Ballyfitz (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Bobby Bullock (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) In touch and pulled hard, led 8th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 29l behind Pocket Aces (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Cave Hill (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Pressed leader, every chance 3 out, weakened after next, 4th of 16, 24l behind Hold Em (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Earth Crystal (IRE) (12-0) Led to last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Copper Bleu (12-0) at Lemonfield 3m ire ptp gs in Mar.
Flemish Invader (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 9th, weakened next, 8th of 12, 27l behind Dr Hart (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gf in Dec.
Just Paddy Supreme Leader gelding out of winning hurdler/bumper Zaffaran Run.
Missisipi Assassin (IRE) Safety Catch gelding, brother to winning hurdler/chaser Hehasalife.
Pharanto (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Led at steady pace, quickened clear 3f out, just held on, won at Towcester 2m mdn nhf (5) sft in May beating Boris The Blade (10-9) by 1l, 12 ran.
The Boffinator 14-1 (11-2) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 18, 26l behind Broughton Green (11-2) at Warwick 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
The Jolly Spoofer (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Mexican Bob (11-0) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct, 20 ran.
Treat Em Mean 6-1 (11-3) Track leaders, effort over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 10, well behind Crocodiles Rock (11-7) at Newbury 2m nhf Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Daraz Rose (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 4 out, mistake 2 out, not fluent last, ran on strongly to lead close home, won at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Winsley Hill (10-10) by a nk, 16 ran.
