reluctant to race, slowly away, headway 5th, in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
towards rear, reminders 4th, weakened approaching 6th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened after 7th
soon in touch, headway approaching 7th, ridden to chase leader 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden, weakened 6th, soon well behind
led 2nd, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on one pace
led 1st, headed 2nd, ridden, weakened 5th, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 6th, in 4th, ridden 3 out, kept on, no chance with leaders
in touch, chased leader 6th, ridden, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon weakened
Long Road can win the closing handicap-hurdle for the Jonjo O¿Neill yard, while True Mariner, Manolo and Brendar are all entitled to go close. Long Road was a beaten favourite in a Listowel hurdle last September but had previously been a good second at Sligo behind Earlyinthemorning. He could be well treated on his British racecourse debut and may be worth a small bet at a big price. Brendar looks to follow up his recent Plumpton win and he is sure to go well, whilst Manolo looks to build on his recent second behind the impressive Picot De Say at Taunton. He was coming back after a 131-day break that day and can come on for that run. He looks to be the main threat to our choice, Long Road.
Allaboveboard (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Close up in 2nd, led after 5 out, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 17, more than 8l behind Kilfinny Cross (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hacp hdl sft in Jan.
True Mariner (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Held up, headway 3 out, never on terms, 3rd of 7, 29l behind New Perk (10-3) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
Twist The Facts (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 18, 4l behind Saraba (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Miss Skippy 28-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 3rd, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Bak To Bill (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar, 11 ran.
Manolo (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led after 4th until 3 out, ridden and left in lead approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 10l behind Picot de Say (10-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Long Road (USA) 5-2fav (11-0) Mid-division, improved into 7th before 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure, 7th of 17, 11l behind Indian Pace (11-2) at Listowel 2m hacp hdl gs in Sept.
Porak (IRE) 80-1 (10-13) In touch until 3rd, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 27l behind Wellbeing (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Brendar (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Hampered 1st, held up in rear but in touch, closed on leaders from 9th, led 2 out, driven, stayed on well flat, won at Plumpton 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar beating Myson (10-6) by 2l, 10 ran.
