in touch, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 2 out, soon chasing winner, no impression
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
led to 6th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, weakened 6th
in rear, hampered and fell 6th
chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-divison, chased leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, weakened from 6th
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, weakened 3 out
towards rear, blundered badly 5th, weakened from next
in touch, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, led 6th, blundered 3 out, drew clear from 2 out
chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
A large field goes to post for this handicap hurdle but on closer inspection not many can be given a serious chance of winning and the principals look to be Herald Angel, Doris's Gift and Izzykeen and the confident vote is given to Herald Angel. The selection was a fair third behind Lady Pilot last time out off this mark, form that looks solid and with this slightly longer trip likely to bring about more improvement, he looks the one to be on. Doris's Gift rates the main danger as she is well weighted on her best form but she has had plenty of chances off similar marks without taking one and will need to improve for the fitting of first time blinkers if she is to score. Izzykeen is another that could go well now he returns to a more suitable trip. Papillon de Iena looks vulnerable under top weight while Kingfisher Niamh has yet to prove she stays this far and for the winner we return to the progressive Herald Angel.
Papillon de Iena (FR) 11-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 13, 16l behind Reelinga (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) sft.
Ortega (FR) 18-1 (10-7) Held up, effort 8th, hampered 9th, soon weakened, 8th of 15, well behind River Reine (9-11) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Izzykeen 7-2jt-fav (10-13) Raced wide, in touch, hung left, lost place approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 10, 26l behind Matmata de Tendron (10-8) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Smart Boy Prince (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Led to 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, well behind when went badly right last, 7th of 16, 45l behind Peters Star (10-5) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
Chilly Milly 18-1 (11-8) Led, made most until just after 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Union Deux (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf, 15 ran.
Fast Fred (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Held up and keen, effort 10th, weakened 2 out, last of 7, well behind Wizards Dust (10-9) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Beau Coup 33-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden, outpaced approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 14l behind Gidam Gidam (12-2) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Mar '07.
Power Shared (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway and effort 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 13, 37l behind Special Day (10-6) at Newbury 2m 3f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Mar.
Simply Mystic 9-1 (11-6) In touch to 6th, 8th of 12, 39l behind Vivante (9-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr '06.
City Music (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear, reminders 4th, tailed off when pulled up at the 5th in race won by Lady Sambury (9-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy, 16 ran.
Kingfisher Niamh 14-1 (10-9) Held up last, ridden, lost touch 7th, left distant 3rd 2 out, weakened, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 5, well behind Lamanver Homerun (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Nautic (FR) 50-1 (10-12) In touch, weakened 6th, 7th of 16, 13l behind High Jack (11-8) at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Herald Angel (FR) 8-15fav (9-9) In touch, chased leaders 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, headed and not fluent last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Lady Pilot (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Doris's Gift 9-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 24, 12l behind Lily Tara (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Harley 16-1 (11-2) Led to 1st, mid-division until weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Lily Tara (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs, 24 ran.
