held up, smooth headway 3 out, ridden next, led approaching last, driven out flat
close up, effort approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
in touch, ridden 3 out, every chance last, one pace flat
led, hit and headed 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance when fell
prominent, led 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, hit 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders until ridden and weakened from 2 out
Nonrunner
John Forbes looks the one to be with in this handicap hurdle; the list of dangers is headed by Culcabock and Soubriquet. The selection hails from a yard that are in decent form at present and there was plenty to like about the way he won last time when he got the better of Breaking Storm. That was a good effort and with conditions to suit he looks capable of going in again. Culcabock and Soubriquet are closely-matched from their run last time when the latter narrowly prevailed. On these terms Culcabock should gain his revenge, although he is not proven on this surface which would be a slight cause for concern. Soubriquet on the other hand has won on heavy ground at this venue and with this in mind he is entitled to go well. Tartan Snow is another who has winning form on heavy ground here so he can go well at a price, but for the winner we will stick with John Forbes.
John Forbes 4-1jt-fav (11-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, led 2 out, ridden, stayed on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Mar beating Breaking Storm (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Soubriquet (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed after last, rallied gamely to lead again post, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl (3) gd in Mar beating Culcabock (11-0) by a hd, 13 ran.
Tragic Ohio 20-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 4th, ridden and lost place before 5th, headway again approaching 7th, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Wizard of Us (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Feb '07.
Tartan Snow 4-1jt-fav (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 9, well behind Kempski (10-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar.
Front Rank (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Led to 6th, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 11, 11l behind Brook No Argument (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Karathaena (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leader, outpaced 7th, kept on from 3 out, no impression, 5th of 11, 14l behind Brook No Argument (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Hush Tiger 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, headway to lead before 3 out, driven clear flat, comfortably, won at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Mar beating Rossin Gold (10-4) by 12l, 6 ran.
Culcabock (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, challenged next, ridden and kept on to lead after last, headed post, 2nd of 13, hd behind Soubriquet (10-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl (3) gd in Mar.
