held up last, effort and ridden 8th, weakened before 4 out
led to 1st, led 3rd to 7th, ridden and weakened 8th
prominent, quick into lead after 7th, ridden 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, tired when hit 2 out, eased flat
led 1st to 3rd, ridden 8th, weakened 9th
pulled hard and held up in mid-division, headway 4th, 3rd when fell 6th
held up towards rear, headway to chase leader 8th, challenged 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, clear last, comfortably
A competitive affair in prospect with Alrafid marginally preferred to Kings Brook and Tom Bell. Alrafid was punted off the boards ahead of his most recent run at Worcester but he failed to fire on that occasion and Philip Hide reported him as never travelling throughout the race. It is asking a lot to forgive him for that run but this looks a suitable opportunity on paper. Kings Brook has had plenty of chances to break his maiden but invariably finds one or two too good. He is perhaps flattered by an official BHB rating of 115 and may have more chance in these races. Tom Bell is at least in-form. John O'Shea's dual purpose performer should have few fitness worries. The market will indicate how well his schooling has been at home. Riccarton and Huw The News make little appeal while Cream Cracker has some useful hurdles form to his name and would not be out of this if taking to the larger obstacles. A tricky race in which Alrafid is given a chance to redeem himself after a short priced flop.
Alrafid (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 10, 23l behind Harry Potter (10-9) at Worcester 2m beg chs (4) gd.
Huw The News 100-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden after 5th, soon lost touch, 7th of 8, well behind Wee Dinns (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Kings Brook 5-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, hampered after 8th, ridden 3 out, edged left and one pace flat, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Kety Star (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf.
Riccarton 66-1 (10-0) Towards rear, brief effort 7th, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 44l behind Moss Bawn (10-4) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Tom Bell (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Held up in touch, went 3rd after 4th, ridden to lead before last when mistake, ran on well, won at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun beating Lucky Do (11-8) by 5l, 11 ran.
Cream Cracker 9-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Space Cowboy (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
