led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, close up when stumbled after 3 out, led 2 out, challenged last, ridden out
keen, weakened 3 out, lost both front shoes
held up, behind from 3 out
keen mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, every chance when mistake last, one pace flat
in touch, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and jumped right, soon held
held up in rear and detached, headway 3 out, keeping on when jumped right last, switched right flat, kept on
pulled hard, soon in touch, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, lost place 5th, stayed on again from 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened flat
Woolly Bully, Barodine and Notre Cyborg are the ones that catch the eye here, and preference is for Woolly Bully to supplement a last time out success. Flat winner, Barodine is improving with experience judged by his third last time in a novice hurdle. He is clearly on the upgrade and open to further progress and can hit the frame here. Notre Cyborg is lightly weighted here, and is fancied to reverse form with Phoenix Eye on six pounds better terms. He too though may have to settle for a place, as he is only selling class. A winner of a Pontefract maiden in the autumn, Woolly Bully stepped up on a disappointing debut effort when landing a Plumpton novice hurdle last time. He showed fighting qualities that day and can handle variations in ground conditions. Woolly Bully can score again.
Woolly Bully 9-2 (10-7) Held up in touch, mistakes 4th and 6th, headway to track leaders approaching 3 out, led 2 out, driven out flat, won at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Monets Masterpiece (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Arpetcheeo (USA) 14-1 (11-0) Prominent, 3rd and ridden before 2 out, soon no impression, 8th of 18, 10l behind Popular Demand (10-11) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 0-95 gf in Apr.
Barodine 16-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Artadi (10-11) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) frm in Apr.
Shropshirelass 8-1 (9-13) Keen, mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to dispute lead 2 out, led last, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gf in Apr beating Investment Wings (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
That's My Charlie (NZ) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7th, went 3rd after 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 4th of 9, 32l behind Scotland Yard (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Phoenix Eye 28-1 (10-1) Held up, headway 5th, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, comfortably, won at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf beating Notre Cyborg (10-4) by 3l, 6 ran.
Notre Cyborg (FR) 15-2 (10-4) Held up, keen, headway 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression from last, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Phoenix Eye (10-1) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Ebony Lady 7-1 (11-7) Towards rear, some progress after 6th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 14, 40l behind It's Rumoured (11-9) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
