tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed before 5th, led again after next, clear 2 out, not fluent last
held up, behind after 5th, headway 4 out, chased clear leaders 2 out, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, soon beaten
led until 2nd, remained prominent, joined leader 3 out, ridden before next, weakened before 2 out
keen hold, prominent, led before 5th, headed after next, soon weakened, behind when pulled up when 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, ridden 6th, weakened before 3 out
held up in touch, weakened before 6th, soon beaten
held up, headway 8th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, stayed on to take moderate 2nd, no chance with winner
This should not take much winning and a chance is taken with the reappearing Arabian Moon, who was good value for his win in similar grade when last seen in November, and he gets the vote over Hawthorn Prince and Left Hand Drive. The last mentioned ran better when dropped to this grade at Hereford last time and is again entitled to be thereabouts. Sono is a capable performer in this grade but may have to settle for minor role, while Romil Star has not raced over hurdles for some time now and has seemingly regressed on the level of late. Hawthorn Prince would have solid claims if stripping fitter for his recent return at Bangor but Arabian Moon has solid claims in a poor contest and he gets the vote.
Left Hand Drive 8-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden 5th, chased leader approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon held, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Ricardo's Chance (11-1) at Hereford 2m 4f nov sll hdl (5) gf in Mar.
Arabian Moon (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden from 7th, stayed on to chase winner 2 out, all out to lead line, won at Hereford 2m 3f cnd sll hdl (5) gf in Nov beating Mythical King (11-4) by a nk, 17 ran.
Charnwood Street (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Mid-division, weakened from 6th, tailed off, 14th of 17, well behind Fortunate Dave (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Hawthorn Prince (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Led, headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 10, 25l behind Longueville Manor (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Point of Origin (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) pulled up at the 14th in race won by Pelican Brief (11-0) at Higham 3m ptp frm in Feb '06, 5 ran.
Qabas (USA) 50-1 (11-0) (cp) nvr on terms, 6th of 11, 27l behind Mighty Montefalco (11-0) at Woodford 3m ptp gf in Apr '06.
Romil Star (GER) 2-1jt-fav (11-4) Mid-division, driven and outpaced 4 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Musimaro (10-11) at Hereford 2m 3f sll hdl (G) gd in May '04.
Sono 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Frankincense (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
