tracked leaders and keen, not fluent 1st, weakened approaching 5th, pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, hit 5th, tailed off after 4 out, pulled up 2 out
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 6th, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on, always held by winner
tracked leaders on outer, led approaching 2nd, headed 3rd, chased winner approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, rallied from last, kept on
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 5th, soon weakened, tailed off 4 out
led, headed approaching 2nd, tracked leaders, in 3rd approaching 2 out, hit last, weakened run-in
held up mid-division, weakened after 3 out
tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden and drew clear approaching last, veared slightly right towards paddock entrance after last, kept on
held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, no impression
An interesting maiden hurdle with a number of horses in the field having decent pieces of form but the vote goes to HADRON COLLIDER ahead of Wizard Of Odds and Oscar Close. The selection made a very pleasing hurdle introduction after a lengthy absence. Charlie Mann's charge had been a decent flat horse for the Hannon team and he seems to have retained all his ability. The race he made his debut in may have been stronger than this so he must have a big chance. Wizard Of Odds has bits and pieces of nice form but has not progressed and sometimes looks to be quite reluctant. That being said though, he does have ability. Oscar Close is a very interesting horse from the George Baker yard. An Irish import from The Paul Moloney yard his form in Ireland was very good. All his form was on ground with plenty of cut so if it rained heavy before racing he would be the selection. Another interesting horse is Cannongate from the Emma Lavelle yard. This horse was once rated 92 on the flat and if he transfers that ability to hurdles he will certainly be in the shake up but Hadron Collider gets the nod.
Bower Island (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) in a race won by Blejan Eyhre (11-7) at Woodford 3m ptp gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Canongate 16-1 (10-0) Dwelt, always in rear, last of 9, 37l behind Ethics Girl (8-4) at Sandown 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug (flat).
Hadron Collider (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Held up and behind, headway to 3rd before 2 out, chased winner before last, kept on under pressure flat, no impression when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Hellfire Club (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Oscar Close (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Always prominent, 3rd from 3 out, soon no impression, went moderate 2nd and kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 14, 22l behind Whodoyouthink (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 2f 4yo mdn hdl in Dec.
Stevie Bull (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 9, 22l behind Lidar (10-12) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Wizard of Odds 2-1 (10-11) Led until after 2nd, led again 4 out, headed narrowly after 3 out, remained close up until no extra last 50 yards, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Coup Royale (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar.
First Bay (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Santera (10-6) at Doncaster 2m clm hdl (4) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Harvest Song (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, driven after 4 out, soon ridden to challenge, weakened next, 9th of 13, well behind Clerk's Choice (10-4) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Rainiers Girl 20-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakend over 2f out, 7th of 10, 13l behind Zero Cool (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb (flat).
