held up mid-division, headway 3 out, chased winner before 2 out until ridden before last, one pace
in touch, went 2nd from 6th, weakened from 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out
led, headed after 3rd, led before 4th, clear before 6th, very easily
towards rear, pushed along 3 out, soon headway, chased winner before last, no impression
always towards rear
led after 3rd until before 4th, lost place next, pulled up before 3 out
With two victories in novice company to his credit, BLAIRS COVE is doubly penalised and has to concede plenty of weight. He couldn't handle Class 2 company at Cheltenham last time but this is a much weaker contest and he can gain victory number three. Espoir De Teillee was very unlucky to fall at the last when clear in a point at Athlacca and did well to land a Ffos Las bumper in April as he's bred for jumping. The 12lb he receives from the selection should ensure a big run on his hurdling debut. Black Art is now on his third trainer and made a promising start for Sue Smith at Hexham where he was in the lead on the run-in. He'll have come on a bundle for that experience and should get into the frame. Jack Devine won three times between the flags and showed up well for a long way on his debut under Rules at Sedgefield.
Blairs Cove 11-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, tracked front pair 4 out, driven and lost place approaching 2 out, soon outpaced and behind, weakened last, last of 5, 28l behind Brillare Momento (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gd in Oct.
Black Art 3-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway after 2 out, led before last, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Crixus's Escape (10-12) at Hexham 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Bogardus (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Towards rear, behind 6th, 12th of 16, dist behind Kalashnikov (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Espoir De Teillee (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, led 6f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Ffos Las 2m (6) gd in Apr beating Hear No Evil (11-2) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Jack Devine (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Towards rear, blundered 1st, reminder 6th, headway from 3 out, one pace in 4th before 2 out, weakened from last, 5th of 7, 14 1/2l behind Court Liability (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Rocket Ronnie (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, pressed leader until after 5th, chased leaders, weakened quickly 3 out, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Shoal Bay (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
The Resdev Way 100-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, hit next, 6th of 8, dist behind Theclockisticking (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Easter Mytton 50-1 (10-11) In rear and keen, pushed along over 6f out, tailed off over 3f out, 5th of 6, dist behind Niceandeasy (10-10) at Newcastle 2m (6) hvy in Mar.
