in touch, headway to chase leading pair 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon in command, stayed on well
behind when saddle slipped, pulled up after 2nd
always behind, tailed off when mistake 2 out
prominent, ridden before 6th, struggling next and soon tailed off, pulled up before last
held up in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 8th
mistake 1st, behind, tailed off when mistake 4th, pulled up before 6th
led, driven and headed approaching 2 out where mistake, weakened before last
chased leaders, ridden and struggling 7th, mistake next, tailed off
chased leader to 8th, weakened before 3 out, mistake 2 out, headway to take moderate 3rd flat
prominent, blundered 7th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
soon struggling in rear, tailed off from 7th
mistake 7th, always behind
mid-division, headway from 6th, went 2nd 4 out until approaching 2 out, lost moderate 3rd flat
mid-division, weakened 6th, soon tailed off and pulled up after next
A large field goes to post for this novices hurdle but on closer inspection not many can be given a serious chance of winning and the principals look to be Saltango, Caged Tiger and Grenoli and the confident vote is given to Saltango. The selection was a fair second behind the Ludder last time out. That form looks rock solid in the context of this race and he need only run up to that mark to score. Caged Tiger rates the main danger on his latest third behind Au Courant but that was his first run in ages and the worry is he may bounce and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Grenoli is another worthy of respect as he hails from a top yard but he only showed a modicum of ability on his debut and will need to improve dramatically to defeat the principals. Of the remainder Marchensis is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but Saltango sets a fair standard and he will be hard to beat.
Saltango (GER) 11-2 (11-6) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on well from last but not pace of winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind The Luder (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Caged Tiger 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 6th, kept on well from 2 out to go 3rd flat, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Au Courant (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Grenoli (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until weakened under pressure after 7th, 10th of 16, well behind Wogan (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Heavy Weather (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) In rear, some progress 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Teeton Babysham (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Marchensis (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Hit 4th, behind most of way, 9th of 12, well behind Doc Row (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
My Only Bid (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) fell in race won by Nominate (11-7) at Eyton-On-severn 2m 4f ptp gd in May, 12 ran.
Once (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 14, 29l behind Neveesou (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.
See More Jock 125-1 (11-0) Always behind, no impression, 4th of 7, 25l behind Gungadu (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gd.
