towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
led to 1st, remained close up, effort when mistake 3 out, one pace after next
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, effort when not fluent 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, headway when slipped up on bend approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, led on bend after 5th, drew clear from 3 out
in touch, effort 3 out, kept on one pace from next
raced keen in touch, weakened quickly 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before last
prominent 4 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, effort under pressure next, stayed on to chase winner last, kept on
pulled hard, led 1st until hung badly left on bend after 5th, rallied after 4 out, outpaced after next
close up until weakened 4 out
raced keen, tracked leader, saddle slipped and pulled up before 2nd
Digital Fortress gets a narrow vote in a wide open maiden hurdle, Baron Romeo and Hockenheim look to be the main rivals. Jonjo O'Neil's six-year-old came up against a smart performer on his seasonal debut at Market Rasen. He looked in need of the run but plugged on well to take second. The third was well beaten off and so the form could be quite decent and with improvement expected he looks the one to be on. Baron Romeo was well beaten on his last ourting in April, but had put in some solid efforts prior to that disappointment and he looks the obvious threat as he goes well when fresh. Hockenheim is from a yard going well and showed enough last season to suggest he can take a small race before too long. The pick of the newcomers could be Ham Jammer, but on this occasion we will stick with fitness and experience and plump for Digital Fortress.
Baron Romeo (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off from 8th, 9th of 13, well behind Supreme's Legacy (11-6) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Digital Fortress (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders after 5th, chased winner after 3 out, ridden and challenged next, weakened flat, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Mr Shambles (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Ham Jammer (IRE) (12-0) won at Cullentra 3m ire ptp sft in May beating The Lask (12-0) by 5l, 14 ran.
Hockenheim (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Mid-division, reminder after 4th, headway 5th, hit 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Cloudy Lane (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Komoto 16-1 (10-3) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Scribano Eile (10-10) at Perth 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Sept.
Morandi (IRE) (12-0) won at Maralin 3m ire ptp gd in Mar '04 beating Dingle Fun Guy (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Somedo Somedont 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 8th, went 2nd after 3 out, no extra under pressure flat, 3rd of 5, 2l behind City Music (10-12) at Hexham 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Zaffie Parson (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up, reminders 4th, weakened approaching 7th, 6th of 11, well behind Jodante (11-2) at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
