tracking leaders when fell 7th
tracked leaders, hampered 7th, soon weakened and pulled up after 3 out
in rear, very tired and behind from 2 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up
led, headed 3 out, weakened soon after
always in rear, pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway 6th, stayed on to chase winner approaching last in vain
towards rear, mistake 2nd, effort 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 6th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, weakened quickly and stopped to walk close home
in touch, lost place 6th, hampered 7th, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out
Boomerang has shown respectable form in bumpers and again on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter last month so has to be respected, especially with the yard of Henry Daly in such good form now but a better bet looks to be Cave Hill, who gets the vote ahead of Well Saved. The last mentioned was in the process of running an encouraging race on his hurdling debut at Bangor last month until unseating his rider four out and Jonjo O'Neill's gelding would have every chance if none the worse for that experience. Spartacus Bay was well held on his first start over hurdles but trainer Venetia Williams has her runners in better form now so he cannot be discounted. Moshahed has given little sign for encouragement so far and the vote goes to Cave Hill. Henrietta Knight's gelding was a point-to-point winner, has won his only start in a bumper and is taken now to complete his unbeaten run on his hurdles debut.
Boomerang (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) In rear of main group, mistakes, hampered 1st, progress 6th, jumped left 7th, chased winner briefly before 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Carys's Lad (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Cave Hill (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, headway on inside over 4f out, led over 2f out, challenged final furlong, ran on gamely, won at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Nov '06 beating Greenbridge (11-0) by a hd, 11 ran.
Come On Jim (IRE) 80-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway 5f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 14, well behind Mountain Oscar (11-0) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Nov '06.
Craic (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up, struggling from halfway, 10th of 14, well behind Balamory Dan (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Crank Hill 25-1 (11-0) Led to halfway, weakened over 4f out, 5th of 6, 24l behind Ocean du Moulin (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gf in Oct.
Moshahed 10-1 (11-0) Led to approaching 7th, led after, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 6th of 11, 5l behind El Batal (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Oscar Owen (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) Trckd ldrs; ev ch 3 out; wkng when blun last, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Only For Joe (12-0) at 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Rathcor 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, led before 3 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 6th of 16, 8l behind Star Player (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Rock Wren 40-1 (10-7) Not fluent, chased leaders, mistake 2nd, weakened after 9th, 8th of 18, well behind Rood Report (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Spartacus Bay (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, beaten when not fluent last, 5th of 9, 13l behind Crocodiles Rock (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Well Saved (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up, headway and 5 lengths down when blundered badly and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Evelith Echo (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
