tracked leaders, hit 4th, went 2nd next until ridden approaching 3 out, regained 2nd approaching last, one pace and no chance with winner
tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place quickly after 4 out, tailed off
held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened after last
held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out
always towards rear, hit 5th, struggling approaching 4 out
tracked winner and keen, every chance 2 out, no extra from last
held up, jumped left 1st, pushed along approaching 4th, soon tailed off, pulled up 4 out
held up in touch, pushed along 3 out, kept on same pace from next, took 3rd flat
held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
made all, ridden between last 2, driven out, dismounted after line
held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up behind, not fluent 1st, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before next, tailed off
We open this great quality six race card with a maiden hurdle in which course and distance winner SITTING TENNANT should bounce back after getting turned over as an odds-on favourite last time and get the better of hurdling debutants Overturn and Kensington Oval. A staying on winner in a bumper here in April the pick shaped with plenty of promise when finding just one too good on his reappearance run last time. He raced a bit keenly that day but he should know his job a bit better now and can repay punters. Overturn ran to a pretty decent standard on the flat winning off a mark of 88 in his last start in that sphere. He's in good hands for his jumps career so should be a leading player. Kensington Oval wouldn't have much improvement to find for his introduction to life in this code based on his flat form so has to be considered under the champion while Sumak was pulled out of an engagement earlier in the week so connections might fancy their chances more here. It's a good start to a good day and the first winner on the card should be Sitting Tennent.
Benbens (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along and hampered on inside over 5f out, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 16l behind Sherwani Wolf (11-4) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) sft.
Diddley Dee 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, never on terms, 8th of 17, 20l behind Solway Sam (11-2) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
High Ambition 25-1 (10-12) With leader, led 7f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 20, 31l behind Lease Lend (10-12) at Wetherby 1m 6f NH flat (6) sft in Dec '06.
Highland Love 12-1 (9-8) Close up, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 9l behind Bramalea (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep (flat).
Kensington Oval 3-1fav (9-10) Slowly away, soon in mid-division, headway on outside 8f out, went 2nd over 5f out, pushed along over 2f out, regained 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, finished tired, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Distinctive Image (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) fbs in Aug (flat).
Overturn (IRE) 17-2 (9-12) Soon led, ridden and under pressure final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct beating Omokoroa (8-2) by 1/2l, 14 ran (flat).
Paisley Cross (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden over 3f out, stumbled 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Daring Origyn (10-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gd in Jan.
Rushwee (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, keen early, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Hillview Boy (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gf in Dec.
Selskar (IRE) Viking Ruler gelding out of Hope's Blue.
Sitting Tennant 2-9fav (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, headway 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, challenged last, ridden and stayed on to lead briefly flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Soft Spoken Guy (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Sumak (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 13, 28l behind Sonowyouno (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Girly Whirly 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division until weakened after 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Red Lancer (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in May, 18 ran.
