mistake 3rd, pushed along after 4th, always in rear, well behind from 6th, tailed off
made all, clear last, eased towards finish
held up towards rear, jumped right 1st, headway approaching 7th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, chased winner approaching 3 out, soon hung left, no impression last
towards rear, mistake 7th, soon struggling, tailed off
keen early, always in rear, well behind 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, reminders after 5th, awkward on bend before 6th, soon behind, tailed off
in touch, weakened after 7th, no chance when fell 2 out
mid-division, not fluent, mistake 1st, headway 6th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out
in rear, never in contention, no chance when mistake last
pressed winner, not fluent 1st or 6th, under pressure after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, took remote 3rd before 2 out
mid-division, struggling when not fluent 6th, soon behind, tailed off
not jumped well, mid-division on outside, headway after 5th, struggling before 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
The Welsh trained pair of BAREN DE DOC and Havenstone seem to have the strongest claims on this maiden hurdle with the first mentioned preferred while Across The Divide looks an interesting newcomer for Jonjo O'Neill. The pick has been ultra consistent recently having finished second best on each of his last three starts over varying distances. It's interesting that trainer Tim Vaughan reverts this one back to jumping timber with those recent performances coming in Novice chases and he must feel this is a good opportunity for the gelding to break his maiden. Havenstone was a bumper winner and keeps hinting he'll win a race like this. His last run was encouraging and while the form looks weak from that he doesn't have much to find on the selection according to the official ratings. Across The Divide was expensive enough and is related to the smart Irish chaser Cane Brake and useful fencer Bob Hall. It might be that we see this one at his best over the bigger obstacles but he has to be respected in this company. Rutba also makes a debut here and looks bred for a successful life jumping hurdles and Crackerjack Lad showed his best last time out so needs to be considered. Not an easy start to the day but Baren De Doc looks the percentage call.
Allnite 6-1 (12-0) Fell 1, in a race won by Minella Bogs (12-0) at Cold Harbour 3m ptp in May '08, 9 ran.
Baren De Doc (IRE) 85-40 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on, always being held, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Coq Hardi (10-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov stks (4) gd in Apr.
Crackerjack Lad (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, outpaced 6th, headway after 3 out to track leader approaching last, ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Presque Perdre (11-4) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Havenstone (IRE) 5-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway 7th, effort 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 13, 14l behind King Ar Aghaidh (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Lough Beg (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, tailed off, 14th of 18, well behind Loup Du Saubouas (11-0) at Thurles 2m 3yo mdn hdl hvy in Nov '06.
Musical Weld 20-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 5th, stayed on same pace to take 3rd last, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Wade Farm Billy (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Rocky Lane (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Close up, ridden over 6f out, weakened over 5f out, 5th of 9, 30l behind Pendower (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in May.
Safeguard (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Soon dropped to mid-division, pushed along and in rear 3rd, mistake next, tailed off after 5th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Erzen (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May, 13 ran.
Wonderwinder (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) With leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 24l behind The Panama Kid (10-11) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Across The Divide (IRE) Definite Article gelding out of Miss Brandywell.
Little Squirrell (IRE) 80-1 (10-5) Always behind, 5th of 9, 49l behind Nordwind (10-12) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Photogenique (FR) 80-1 (10-0) Prominent, led after 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Erzen (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Shady Olive 125-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, saddle slipped and pulled up before 5th, in a race won by Shavansky (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Apr '08, 9 ran.
Rutba 7-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened quickly 2f out, 6th of 7, 17l behind Eforetta (8-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in May (flat).
