prominent, led approaching 5th, not fluent 3 out, ridden and headed next, weakened approaching last
mid-division, keen hold, ridden when jumped left 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, weakened before last
led, headed approaching 5th, pushed along 3 out, driven and effort next, soon one pace
pulled hard in mid-division, mistake 5th, headway approaching next, weakened before 3 out
held up, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, steady headway from 4th, travelling strongly 3 out, every chance 2nd last, led last, ran on well
in touch, mistake 5th, soon pushed along, weakened before 3 out
held up in touch, effort 3 out, weakened after next
held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway 4th, chased leaders 3 out, led next, soon hung left, headed last and no extra
held up in touch, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakening when hit last
held up towards rear, some headway approaching 2 out, never nearer
mid-division, lost place before 3 out
A very competitive handicap hurdle and Dark Parade gets our vote, despite a disappointing effort last time with Moon Mix, The Grey Berry and Zirkel others to consider. The selection has been the subject of some successful gambles in recent years and although yet to get off the mark over hurdles, he makes great appeal here off a low weight. Moon Mix, a former Dermot Weld in-mate, never looked like winning last time but was an extremely unlucky looser at Kempton on his penultimate start. The track and ground conditions will suit but a mark of 110 on his handicap debut sets him a stiff task. The Grey Berry was an expensive recruit from the flat and it would be fair to say his two outings to date have been disappointing. He will need to scrub up on his jumping, however, there is the possibility those outings could have been a real learning experience. Zirkel won a handicap hurdle on his penultimate start on soft ground but whether those conditions are what he relishes is questionable. He failed to negotiate a 9lb increase by the assessor last time but there may have been excuses as he folded quite tamely. Dark Parade is the pick to land this handicap.
Zirkel (IRE) 11-8fav (11-3) Tracked leader, under pressure 4 out, weakening when not fluent next, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Stumped (11-7) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Red Wine 8-1 (11-12) Behind, headway 4 out, ridden next, 7th and beaten when pulled up at the last in race won by Slavonic Lake (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Royal Wedding 11-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to lead after 5th, ridden and headed after 6th, weakened next, 8th of 10, 39l behind Bay Hawk (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Caliban (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed before last, one pace, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Moon Star (11-9) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Moon Mix (FR) 5-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, every chance 3 out, chased winner 2 out until fell at the last in race won by Sumdancer (11-0) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Magic Rush 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, gradually faded, 10th of 18, 30l behind Song of Songs (11-9) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Cottam Grange 50-1 (11-4) Pulled hard, tracked leader and saddle slipped 3rd, lost place 5th, hung right and weakened next, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Slavonic Lake (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Cortinas (GER) 9-4fav (10-13) Held up in touch, mistake 4th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Prime Contender (11-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Speedy Directa (GER) 3-1 (11-6) Mid-division, hampered 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by La Estrella (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Sualda (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakening when blundered last, 5th of 10, 11l behind The Weaver (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Jan.
The Grey Berry 15-8fav (11-5) Always behind, 8th of 9, 46l behind Songe (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Dark Parade (ARG) 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 24l behind Carly Bay (10-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Flaming Cheek 16-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, headway to lead before 3 out, hard pressed 2 out, headed last, weakened flat, 4th of 12, 4l behind Heavy Weather (11-12) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov '06.
Laconicos (IRE) 50-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway 4th, weakened after 3 out, 15th of 19, 23l behind Ede's (9-7) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Widely Accepted (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders until weakened quickly approaching 4th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Flaming Weapon (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs, 13 ran.
