in touch until not fluent 5th, soon behind
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden to chase leading pair after 3 out, weakened run-in
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out kept on
held up, headway 5th, weakened 8th
chased leaders, hit 7th, soon ridden, one pace when hit 2 out
behind, some headway 7th, weakened after next
chased leaders, mistake 5th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on again approaching last
close up, went 2nd 3 out, led next, comfortably
held up, mistake 7th, headway next, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
never better than mid-division
mid-division, ridden and steady headway from 8th, went 2nd and not fluent last, stayed on but no chance with winner
towards rear, saddle slipped and pulled up after 5th
Scotland Yard can open his account over hurdles today, with Shouldhavehadthat, Openditch, Greenhill Bramble and Eastern Canal all in with a shout. This looks a fairly wide-open maiden hurdle with some progressive sorts in opposition, not least the former Mark Johnston inmate Scotland Yard. Since joining David Pipe, the four-year-old has been given some difficult tasks on unsuitable ground, and it was the heavy going that beat him at Bangor as much as anything else, although some pundits were disappointed that he did not respond to a tongue-tie. Both his wins on the level came on fast ground though, so it appears pretty obvious that when he gets his favoured conditions, he will show his true potential, and in receipt of weight from his older opponents today, Scotland Yard can come good. Shouldhavehadthat is going the right way judged by his latest effort at Cheltenham, and Nicky Henderson's charge should appreciate the longer trip today. Openditch has been showing fair form in bumper company but is maybe best watched as he tackles hurdles for the first time, while Greenhill Bramble deserves to win a race this term but may find today's distance just a bit on the short side. Eastern Canal was left well behind by the useful Aranleigh in a Fairyhouse bumper back in January, and is another that has potential but is an unknown quantity over timber. So, for the winner we return to Scotland Yard.
Brahms And Mist (FR) 66-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden from 6th, soon held, 8th of 16, 33l behind Viper (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Eastern Canal (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Prominent, 3rd halfway, 4th and driven along 5f out, outpaced before straight, soon no extra and weakened, 5th of 10, well behind Aranleigh (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m nhf hvy in Jan.
Greenhill Bramble (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Golden Child (10-9) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Just Smudge 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, chased leaders 6th, outpaced 3 out, weakened last, tailed off, 4th of 10, well behind Unowatimeen (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
King Louis (FR) 12-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden and weakened before 7th, beaten when pulled up 3 out in race won by Albertas Run (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Mocho (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) In rear, ridden and struggling approaching 7th, lost touch before next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mr Strachan (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.
Mr Duffy (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Rear of mid-division, moderate 8th 3 out, kept on without threatening from next, 5th of 21, 36l behind Heron's Flight (11-8) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Nodforms Victoria (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division when brought down at the 5th in race won by Marcus (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Feb, 16 ran.
Openditch (FR) 8-11fav (11-4) Soon chasing leader, ridden and lost 2nd 3f out, hung left and weakened 2f out, 3rd of 8, 27l behind Lodge Lane (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Shouldhavehadthat (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 13, 20l behind Tidal Bay (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Swift Half (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, mistakes 3rd and 4th, ridden approaching 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 31l behind Oslot (11-6) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Dynamic Rhythm (USA) 9-1 (10-5) In touch, headway before 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 15l behind Paradi (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Philanthropist 33-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, well behind My Turn Now (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Scotland Yard (UAE) 8-11fav (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 5th, left 2nd 3 out, soon no impression, 2nd of 6, 16l behind Midnight Diamond (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft.
Woolly Bully 11-4fav (9-5) Mid-division, never on terms, 14th of 20, 13l behind Pleasing (8-4) at Newmarket 1m 3yo app hcp (5) gs in Oct (Flat).
Sporting Rebel (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Always in rear, pecked badly and unseated rider at the last in race won by Le Burf (10-9) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan, 17 ran.
