made all, drew clear 2 out, easily
chased winner, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened run-in
chased winner, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
chsaed leaders until weakened 4 out
mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden after next, kept on same pace
always towards rear
held up behind, stayed on from 4 out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden after next, one pace
mid-division, took closer order approaching 4 out, ran on well run-in to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner
always towards rear
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
held up and always towards rear
A large field goes to post for this novices hurdle but on closer inspection not many can be given a serious chance of winning and the principals look to be Briareus, Lustral Du Seuil and Reservoir and the vote is given to Briareus. The selection won well last time out when beating Classic Role and although he has a penalty for that win he has plenty of scope for improvement and under conditions that suit he is taken to defy his penalty. Lustral Du Seuil rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Theatre but he has had plenty of chances of late in similar races without taking one and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Reservoir is another that could go well as he won with plenty in hand when beating Cunning Pursuit last time. That form has since been franked and although this looks more competitive it would be no surprise if he found enough improvement to be involved in the finish. Magnesium, and Mistral De La Cour have shown a modicum of ability in some of their runs but are far from consistent and may be seen to better effect when sent handicapping and for the winner we return to Briareus.
Briareus 8-1 Disputed lead from the off, narrow lead 2 out, headed last, rallied gamely on run-in to lead near finish, won at Kempton 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Mar beating Classic Role by a nk, 16 ran.
Lustral du Seuil (FR) 3-1 Held up, hit 1st, headway approaching 8th, close 2nd when hit 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last, 4th of 7, 11l behind Theatre at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Reservoir (IRE) 7-4fav In touch, headway 5th, led 2 out, soon ridden clear, eased towards finish, won at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (E) gf in Mar beating Cunning Pursuit by 8l, 10 ran.
Just A Splash (IRE) 8-1 Raced wide, held up, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 5th of 11, 12l behind Billyandi at Towcester 2m nhf (H) sft in Mar.
Laharna 20-1 Chased leaders, weaken 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Billyvoddan at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Jan, 14 ran.
Magnesium (USA) 20-1 Keen hold, steadied rear, headway approaching 2 out, shaken up and stayed on between last 2, no impression run-in, 5th of 16, 8l behind Briareus at Kempton 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Mar.
Mistral De La Cour (FR) 7-1 Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, last of 4, 25l behind Wrags To Riches at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (D) gs in Mar.
Orthodox 33-1 Pulled hard early, in touch, weakened after 4th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Albuhera at Newbury 2m nov hdl (C) gd in Nov '03, 12 ran.
Shining Strand 9-1 Reared and lost ground start, pulled hard in rear, headway and in touch 12f out, weakened 4f out, 9th of 15, 22l behind Earth Man at Newbury 2m nhf Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec.
Sonic Sound 20-1 Chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 7th of 15, 40l behind Gold Ring at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Stern (IRE) 12-1 Behind, kept on final 2f, never dangerous, 7th of 18, 19l behind Sworn In at Newbury 2m nhf (H) gs in Mar.
Forthright 16-1 Chased leader over 8f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Gingko at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (D2) pol in Mar (Flat).
Optimo (GER) 14-1 Chased leader until weakened under pressure 2f out, 9th of 14, 15l behind Royal Stardust at Lingfield 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb.
Delightfully 20-1 Led, headed 7f out, remained prominent until ridden and weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 13l behind Mad Carew at Lingfield 1m 4f clm (F3) pol in Mar (Flat).
Shalati Princess 66-1 Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Inch Pride at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (E) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Mighty Matters (IRE) 14-1 Mid-division, ridden and weakened quickly after 9th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Laska De Thaix at Exeter 3m nov hdl (E) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
