mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd and beaten when fell last
led until 1st, chased leaders until weakened 5th, pulled up before 2 out
led 1st, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, smooth headway after 5th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
soon behind, tailed off
in touch, headway 5th, effort after 3 out, kept on same pace, left 3rd last
in touch, mistakes 1st and 4th, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, soon held by winner
blundered 3 out, always towards rear, tailed off
mid-division until after 4th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
keen tracking leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
always towards rear, tailed off
A maiden hurdle opens proceedings today and it is DESERT STORM that we side with and he gets the vote ahead of Apache Dawn and Fade To Grey. The selection comes from a stable that is doing particularly well at present and was runner up over hurdles last time. The gelding's best form has come on good ground so the going here should suit. The five-year-old Apache Dawn was a beaten favourite last time out over hurdles and clearly has the ability to win something similar. The gelding's mark of 114 raises his chances of taking victory today. Fade To Grey made his comeback last time out after a four month break and was in the process of running well and looked booked for second before getting the last flight wrong and unseating his rider. That was only his second start over hurdles and he looks capable of winning something similar. Gordon Elliott's Grand Opera is the last to make any real appeal though the six-year-old comes into this off the back of a poor run at Navan last time so may he be best watched. The rest will need to improve on past form if they are to succeed and should be of little threat to our selection Desert Storm.
Apache Dawn 13-8fav (11-0) Mid-division, hit 5th, headway after next, went second 3 out until last, kept on flat, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Petrosian (10-7) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) gd.
Arthur Parker 12-1 (12-0) (tt) led to 12; wknd 14; fell in race won by King's Wood (12-0) at Holnicote 3m ptp gf in May, 12 ran.
Desert Storm (DEN) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 4th, all out when headed close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Line Artic (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Fade To Grey (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2nd, headed next, ridden 3 out, held by winner and unseated rider at the last in race won by Master Wells (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gd, 10 ran.
Grand Opera (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up, moderate 8th halfway, no impression from 3 out, 7th of 12, 32l behind Kyle's Turn (11-7) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy.
King of Tricks 66-1 (8-5) Always behind, 15th of 18, 8l behind Contented (8-8) at Goodwood 6f app hcp (6) gd in Aug '07 (Flat).
Murfreesboro 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Yetholm (10-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs.
Qanta de Thaix (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 5th, effort under strong pressure on outside to chase leaders before 2 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 12, 18l behind Hohlethelonely (10-9) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Red Lancer 33-1 (9-6) Always towards rear, 13th of 14, 39l behind Pass The Port (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar '08 (Flat).
Fly With The Stars (USA) 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 10th of 13, 42l behind Yetholm (10-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs.
Prudent Phoebe 80-1 (10-4) Always behind, tailed off and fell 3 out in race won by Shamari (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Soviet Cat (IRE) 150-1 (10-0) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 6th of 13, 14l behind Yetholm (10-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs.
Strong Market 150-1 (10-7) In touch when saddle slipped and pulled up at the 4th in race won by Yetholm (10-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs, 13 ran.
Thoroughly Red (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Rear of mid-division, headway into moderate 4th travelling well from under 2f out, closed and challenged under pressure and led from 100yds out, soon clear, won at Cork 1m 3yo mdn sft in Oct beating Andre Mon Ami (9-5) by 4l, 18 ran (Flat).
