chased leaders on outside, outpaced 4 out, ridden and kept on approaching last, no impression flat
led to 3rd, chased leaders, reminders halfway, stayed on under pressure from 2 out
mid-division, headway and in touch from 4 out, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led 3rd, mistake and headed 4 out, ridden and every chance approaching last, kept on same pace
mistake 1st, tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra flat
in rear, blundred and lost touch 3 out, soon tailed off
slowly away, always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
mid-division, lost place 4 out, tailed off from 2 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, led before last, ridden and stayed on well flat
chased leaders, ridden and lost place halfway, soon behind
From a shortlist of mainly Bargain Hunt, Peruvian Breeze and Ballyboe Boy, we will side with the first-named. Bargain Hunt ran well when second here on his latest hurdling start in May and, from just a pound higher mark, can go well again in a modest affair. Peruvian Breeze has shown a reasonable level of maiden hurdle form and, interestingly, connections have now fitted a tongue-tie, so he will maybe have better to come. Ballyboe Boy has been beaten since being raised seven pounds for a course and distance win but still has some sort of a chance. Nifty Roy has proven that he can win but, being ten pounds above that victorious mark, he has more on his plate. Finally, Alpha Juliet and Bawraah could be starting the year on decent marks, while Rare Coincidence won on the Flat during the summer and did show some promise over hurdles in three starts last season. He might go well but, overall, we will side with Bargain Hunt.
Nifty Roy 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, well behind Supply And Fix (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf.
Bargain Hunt (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, headway 6th, went 2nd approaching last, kept on flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Dream Castle (9-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in May.
Ballyboe Boy (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Took keen hold, led to 2nd prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened after last, 5th of 9, 6l behind Pure Brief (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Jul.
Peruvian Breeze (IRE) 7-2fav (10-13) Not fluent, held up in touch, headway from 8th, led and jumped right 2 out, headed and outpaced flat, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Captain Cloudy (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (E) gf.
Rare Coincidence 14-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 21l behind Goblin (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (E) gd in Jan.
Alpha Juliet (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up, stumbled and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Clouding Over (11-6) at Catterick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
Fenney Spring 10-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 8l behind Virtus (10-6) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd.
Baawrah 11-8fav (11-9) Chased leading pair, outpaced after 2 out, last of 3, 33l behind Soleil D'Hiver (10-12) at Hexham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) hvy in Nov.
