led, clear 3rd until 3 out, soon headed and weakened rapidly, tailed off, mistake last
always in rear, reminders after 3rd, losing touch when mistake 5th, tailed off, pulled up before last
chased leader until 4th, chased leading pair, 2nd again after 3 out until before next, no chance with leading duo, tired when mistake last
tracked leading pair, 2nd 4th, led after 3 out until approaching next where mistake, no chance with easy winner
held up in 4th going well, smooth headway to lead approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
Neil Mullholland has his horses in cracking form and The Wicket Chicken added to his tally when landing a Hexham bumper earlier this month. The lightly-raced five-year-old makes her debut over hurdles but looks certain to go well with her allowance. WELLUPTOSCRATCH has also won a bumper and though only placed once over hurdles has been racing in testing ground so providing the going stays quick he looks the one to be on. Seven Nation Army has better form than any of these but he's been chasing and a record of 0-20 over jumps doesn't inspire confidence. Be Daring didn't show much in five starts for Paul Nicholls and has quickly been moved on and Keepyourheadup has been a 250/1 chance on both starts over hurdles where he's pulled up.
Be Daring (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, closed 3 out, soon ridden, one pace and beaten before next, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 14 1/2l behind Gibson Park (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Keepyourheadup 250-1 (11-1) Held up in rear but in touch, under pressure halfway, weakened 5 out, jumped badly right next, pulled up before 2 out, at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar.
Seven Nation Army (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders and jumped right 1st, kept on same pace in 3rd, no impression, 3rd of 4, 18l behind Capitaine (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gd in May.
Welluptoscratch (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, weakened 5 out, tailed off, modest 4th, 4th of 7, dist behind Groundunderrepair (11-2) at Lingfield 2m mdn (4) hvy in Feb.
The Wicket Chicken (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Mid-division, tracked leaders halfway, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden and edged right, kept on, won at Hexham 2m (6) gd in May beating Sensulano (10-10) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
