behind, mistake 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led to post, led 2nd to 5th, ridden and weakened quickly before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, weakened 4 out, well behind when hit 2 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, driven to chase winner 2 out, no impression, lost 2nd approaching last
took keen hold, raced wide in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace
behind, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, hard ridden approaching 2 out, disputing 5th and no chance when blundered last
behind, ridden 6th, never dangerous
chased leaders, hit 4 out, driven approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner
keen hold in rear, ridden and struggling 4 out, behind when pulled up approaching 2 out
led to 2nd, led again 5th to soon after 3 out, hit 2 out and weakened
mid-division, steady headway from 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, led soon after, drew 6 lengths clear last, stayed on well, ridden out
behind when mistake 4th, pulled up before next
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 3 out, mistake next
close up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, behind and no chance when pulled up before next
not fluent, behind, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace from next
prominent, mistake 6th, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
not fluent and always behind
in touch, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, soon ridden and weakened after next
Backbord is our choice in the maiden hurdle with Arumun, Nobody Tells Me and Petitjean rated the main dangers. Backbord won last year's Italian St Leger and made a pleasing debut over hurdles when chasing home Beaurocrat. That horse was an easy winner at Hereford on Monday and there is nothing of that class in this race. He is a confident selection to go one better here. Petitjean represents the in-form Hobbs yard but is hard to fancy on what he has shown so far. Of the others, Nobody Tells Me represents the main threat to our selection. He was second last time out at Exeter where he and the winner pulled well clear of the third place horse; he should appreciate the step up in trip and has the McCoy factor in his favour. Arumun looks a consistent sort and the step up in trip may suit, but Backbord is a confident choice.
Alderman Rose 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until weakened 6th, 7th of 12, well behind Zipalong Lad (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Alf Lauren 9-2 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 8th, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 15, 19l behind Nero West (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Arumun (IRE) 4-5fav (11-4) Led to 3rd, chased winner until ridden approaching 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Paro (10-11) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Feb.
Beau de Turgeon (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, reminders and outpaced 8th, no impression from 3 out, 4th of 7, well behind Atlantic Jane (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m mdn hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Caged Tiger 9-2 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off when mistake 2 out, 5th of 15, well behind Saltango (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Double Law 66-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, hampered 1st and 2nd, soon led, ridden and headed when fell 2 out in race won by Barton Park (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (D) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
Felix Rex (GER) 100-1 (10-9) Behind, stayed on from 2 out, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Livingonaknifedge (11-7) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Glen Omen (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up, headway over 7f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 17l behind Pangbourne (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Highland Games (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Prominent to 2nd, behind when pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Secured (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gf in Jan, 15 ran.
Historic Place (USA) 8-1 (11-6) In touch, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when blundered last, 8th of 12, well behind Doc Row (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
La Cuenta (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 17, 40l behind Pepporoni Pete (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gd in Dec.
Mylord Collonges (FR) 50-1 (11-3) Close up, led after 2nd, headed next, jumped slow 6th, soon weakened, 7th of 8, well behind Refinement (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Nobody Tells Me (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 2nd, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Flying Falcon (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Pan The Man (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Behind, pushed along after 4th, struggling next, soon tailed off, pulled up before last, 8th of 12, well behind Zipalong Lad (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Petitjean 10-3 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 3rd, ridden after 4th, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 47l behind Flying Falcon (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Saltrio 25-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 6th of 13, 20l behind Topkat (11-3) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
San Hernando 9-2 (10-9) Held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out when jumped badly right, soon headed and weakened, 2nd of 16, 6l behind Hashid (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gs in Dec '04.
So Wise So Young 100-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, jumped big 2nd, soon no impression, 8th of 18, well behind Gentleman Jimmy (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Bayazid (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Jumped left throughout, prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, well behind Grasp (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Sea Wall 11-4jt-fav (10-12) Held up, headway 3 out, under pressure before next, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 21l behind Bureaucrat (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Backbord (GER) 14-1 (10-12) In touch, chased winner from 3 out, ridden and no impression, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Bureaucrat (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd.
