held up, smooth headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
disputed lead until headed 7th, ridden next, soon weakened, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, every chance 2 out until no extra flat
held up mid-division, ridden, headway from 3 out, stayed on from 2 out
held up, headway, hampered 3 out, ridden, not much room next soon switched right, stayed on strongly towards finish
held up, ridden after 7th, never dangerous
held up in touch on outer, joined leaders 5th, led 7th, ridden, headed 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, pushed along, reminders from 4 out, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before last
in touch, headway 3 out, led approaching last, kept on well
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, effort 3 out, never dangerous, pulled up before last
in touch, ridden, one pace when fell 3 out
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, led 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat
disputed lead until 7th, weakened from 4 out, tailed off when pulled before 2 out
A competitive handicap hurdle where Key Time is the tentative selection ahead of Mobaasher and Ringaroses. Howard Johnsons' charge is an unexposed sort racing only three times last season before injury interrupted a possible appearence at the spring festivals. A seasonal debut at Cheltenham in a Grade 2 contest did not inform us whether he had progressed. A slight worry is the trip as he is likely to be more effective over further but off a rating of 123 and a 7lb claimer aboard he could potentially be very well handicapped. Mobaasher makes his debut for Paul Nicholls having previously been trained by Charlie Mann. He has to be respected on his juvenile form of last season, most notably a third in the Triumph Hurdle. Immediate respect has to be issued on that form but he still has to confirm he has trained on from that tough juvenile year. Ringaroses makes a belated return to the racecourse, four from five being his career record to date. He could be another blot on the handicap if using what those behind him earlier in his career have proved. The market should prove the best pointer to his chances but it is alot to expect of him to win a race as competitive as this after 14 months off. Others worthy of consideration include Mendo and Poker De Sivola but Key Time is our selection.
Sporazene (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) In mid-division until blundered and fell at the 5th in race won by Andreas (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar, 23 ran.
Zilcash 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden when hit 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 9, 35l behind Souffleur (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
De Soto 14-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Millenium Royal (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Mobaasher (USA) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in last pair, ridden after 3 out, driven from next, stayed on, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Chomba Womba (10-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Premier Dane (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on, never near leaders, 7th of 17, 10l behind Jack The Giant (11-0) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gf in Dec.
Ringaroses 15-8fav (11-6) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 6th, tracked leaders and jumped left 3 out, led 2 out, ran on, won at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Dec '06 beating Breathing Fire (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Poker De Sivola (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, ridden 4th, under pressure approaching 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 6, well behind Wild Cane Ridge (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Tot O'Whiskey 11-2 (11-10) Held up, not always fluent, stayed on from 3 out, no further progress, eased approaching last, 5th of 8, 13l behind Battlecry (11-10) at Doncaster 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Key Time (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Not fluent, chased leaders, mistakes 4th and 7th, weakened 2 out, 7th of 8, 29l behind Pouvoir (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
Backbord (GER) 11-1 (10-3) Held up, still in rear when brought down 2 out in race won by Mous Of Men (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jan, 20 ran.
Irish Legend (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, every chance after 2 out, ridden approaching last, one pace flat, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Joe Brown (11-3) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Culcabock (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Mid-division, effort 4 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 7th of 11, 13l behind Bywell Beau (11-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Hue 20-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, some headway when brought down 2 out in race won by Five Dream (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Sir Monty (USA) 6-1 (11-8) Led until approaching 3 out, weakening when fell 4 out in race won by One Gulp (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Mendo Evensfav (11-0) Held up behind leaders, nudged along from 7th, blundered 10th and fell at the 11th in race won by O'maley (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (4) gd in Dec, 6 ran.
Magic Sky (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Held up, ridden and outpaced after 5 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 5th of 9, 10l behind Calatagan (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Dec.
