mid-division, headway 5th, hit 3 out, driven next, weakened last
mid-division, took keen hold, blundered 3rd, headway when not fluent 5th, mistake and beaten 2 out
tracked leader, led after 3rd, hit 3 out, strongly pressed 2 out, hit last, soon headed, no extra
mid-division, mistake 1st, headway approaching 3 out, edged left before last, stayed on flat
took keen hold, always prominent, every chance when bumped 2 out, switched right flat, stayed on
jumped right, led until after 3rd, not fluent 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 6th, challenging and looking tricky when hit 2 out, led flat, driven out
held up in rear, ridden in 7th after 3 out, never nearer
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
not fluent 2nd, always towards rear
jumped badly, prominent, lost place 3rd, soon behind, tailed off
MONETARY FUND sets a clear standard in this Novice Hurdle and should get back to winning ways ahead of Action Impact and Cool Touch. A winner on his hurdles debut the pick was then a beaten favourite in a better race at Cheltenham. That looked an improved effort and with the opposition not as strong he should go in under the champion. Action Impact doesn't always jump that well but has transferred his decent flat form into this sphere. Blinkers are fitted for the first time to try to get some improvement out of him and after a encouraging run last time he has every chance. Cool Touch followed a couple of solid handicap runs with an easy victory in Novice company last time and if building on that he will go close while I'm The Pink was a little unlucky in running last time and should show his previous better form. An intriguing contest where Monetary Fund is the stand out.
I'm In The Pink (FR) 11-2 (11-11) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 6th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 10, 30l behind Dishdasha (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Action Impact (ARG) 15-8fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to lead and edged right approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind General Ting (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Cool Touch (IRE) 2-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, went 2nd next, led 3 out, clear approaching 2 out, eased flat (no time taken), won at Towcester 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf beating Saint Espiegle (10-7) by 15l, 6 ran.
Den Maschine 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 4th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led before 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Towcester 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gf beating Stir On The Sea (10-1) by 10l, 11 ran.
Monetary Fund (USA) 15-8fav (11-4) Held up, headway 4th, hampered and squeezed out on bend after 2 out, lost ground on leaders, stayed on to chase winner last, no impression, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Puzzlemaster (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Classic Bavard 14-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led after 4 out to next, soon ridden, weakened from 2 out, last of 3, 23l behind Native Taipan (10-13) at Ffos Las 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Clear Sailing 8-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, headway 5th, beaten when jumped slowly last, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Clerk's Choice (11-5) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Minneapolis 33-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, under pressure 3 out, soon lost place, 6th of 13, 44l behind Clerk's Choice (10-4) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Savanna's Gold 100-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, last of 8, 45l behind Lastkingofscotland (9-12) at Folkestone 6f sell stks (6) gf in Apr (flat).
Welcome Wonder 66-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway from 5f out, weakened 3f out, 10th of 13, 16l behind Tanzanite Bay (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 1f N H flat (4) gd in Apr.
Frame And Cover 14-1 (10-0) A bhnd, 8th of 12, 42l behind Heathyards Flyer (12-0) at Maisemore Park 2m 4f ptp gs.
Duke of Burgundy (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Led until approaching 3rd, led after 5th, mistake next, not fluent 3 out, headed when not fluent 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 11, 12l behind Battle Group (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Red Dagger (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, hit 5th, lost place next, soon behind, 6th of 12, 35l behind Gremlin (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
