in touch, outpaced after 3 out, rallied to chase winner approaching last, stayed on to lead close home
in touch, weakening when mistake 3 out
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, stayed on after 2 out
led to 2nd, remained prominent, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway halfway, went 2nd approaching 2 out until no extra approaching last
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out
always behind
towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
always behind
tracked leader, led to 2nd, clear 3 out, 6 lengths in lead last, headed and no extra close home
Pavey Ark, Dewasentah and Duke Orsino look the three to concentrate on in this novices hurdle and the narrow vote is given to the last named. The selection was a fair third behind Emperors Monarch last time out. That sets a fair standard in the context of this race and under conditions that suit he will be hard to beat. Pavey Ark rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Finzi but he has a penalty for that win and is dropping back in distance and on that basis he looks worth opposing. Dewasentah is another worthy of respect on her latest fifth behind Hello Baby as that horse has since run well in a better race so she should be noted in the market. Of the remainder Tullyhappy Lad was a fair second in a bumper on his last run hails from a shrewd Irish yard and is another that should be noted in the market on this his hurdles debut but for the winner we return to Duke Orsino.
Bannister Lane 33-1 Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 15l behind Portavadie at Haydock 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb.
Crofton Arch 100-1 Jumped left 1st, chased leaders to 5th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Cotty's Rock at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Duke Orsino (IRE) 25-1 Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, chased winner after last, no extra flat, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Emperor's Monarch at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (F) gs in Mar.
Hot Air (IRE) 100-1 Chased leader, led 5th until 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Le Biassais at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft in Feb, 15 ran.
Pavey Ark (IRE) 2-1fav Towards rear, mistake 6th, pushed along 12th, ridden to lead 3 out, stayed on strongly from next, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn chs (F) gf in Sept beating Finzi by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Tullyhappy Lad (IRE) 33-1 Towards rear, 14th 4f out, rapid headway on outer into 5th 3f out, stayed on well to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 9l behind Bluebyyou at Sligo 2m nhf sft in Apr.
Casterflo 66-1 Held up in rear, driven to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Dark Ben at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Mar, 7 ran.
Dewasentah (IRE) 9-2jt-fav Held up in rear, headway 7th, effort 2 out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 15, 28l behind Hello Baby at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Apr.
