held up, mistake 2nd, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden to lead flat, edged left, driven out
keen early, disputed lead to 1st, in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
raced keenly, with leader to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
took keen hold, led until after 1st, remained prominent, ridden when hit 2 out, led approaching last, headed flat, not quicken
in touch, led 3 out, headed and weakened approaching last
in rear, pushed along after 5th, stayed on flat, never nearer
held up in rear, headway on inside 3 out, every chance approaching last, no extra flat
raced keenly, led after 1st, headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
CARRICKBOY sets a decent standard here, and is looking for a hat-trick, with the main challenges to him completing that being Rippling Ring and I Have Dreamed. Venetia Williams' gelding holds a couple of Cheltenham entries, and hasn't seen a rival in his last outings, when making all to land similar contests. The most recent sees him with a seven pounds penalty today, but he's still handily weighted. The stable's in great form, and this can be another trip to the winners enclosure. Rippling Ring has to carry most, but his stable are in fine form too. Fifth in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, he could be going to the Festival again. Lightly raced recently, this is his first outing since November, and he may need the runout. I Have Dreamed was disappointing last year after previously showing some promise. Again, the pipe-opener may do him good, and although towards the top of the weights, a seven pound claimer keeps him competitive for Gary Moore. Oldrik also chases a hat-trick, and may be settled off the pace which isn't always the way to win at Hereford, and we think the most likely winner is Carrickboy.
Rippling Ring (SAF) 13-2 (11-1) Mid division, headway approaching 3 out, chasing leaders 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 5th of 12, 12l behind Numide (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
I Have Dreamed (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 2 out, ridden to chase leaders approaching last, took 2nd flat, kept on, 2nd of 17, 2l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Carrickboy (IRE) 11-4fav (10-11) Made all, soon clear, in command from 3 out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft beating European Dream (11-2) by 7l, 7 ran.
Ellerslie Tom 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 14, well behind Arctic Wings (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Benfleet Boy 10-3 (11-11) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra after, 3rd of 14, 11l behind Quartz de Thaix (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Matuhi 28-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, effort 2 out, soon weakened, blundered badly last, eased, 12th of 15, well behind Presenting Copper (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Overstrand (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden and every chance approaching last, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 13l behind Earth Planet (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Oldrik (GER) 4-1 (11-5) Held up last, headway after 6th, chased leader 2 out, ridden approaching last, soon led, driven out flat, won at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan beating Night Cru (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Solent (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Close up, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 13th of 14, well behind European Dream (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd.
