chased leader, slightly hampered when left in lead 4th, headed before omitted last, soon beaten
chased leaders, jumped slowly 5th, soon weakened, mistake normal 3 out, soon pulled up
mid-division, mistake 1st, hampered 4th, headway to chase leader before next, led before omitted last, steadily drew clear
led until fell 4th
held up in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent next, hit 3rd, hampered next, headway soon after, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
in rear, mistake 1st, well behind 4th, soon pulled up
prominent until brought down 4th
mid-division, headway to go 3rd after 5th, weakened before omitted last
towards rear, not fluent 3rd, hampered next, pecked 5th, soon struggling, tailed off
mid-division, went 4th before normal 3 out, outpaced next, stayed on after omitted last, no impression
Duty Free is a useful benchmark in this Maiden Hurdle but after a much improved effort last time out FLICHLY is expected to progress again and get off the mark while Wicked Streak should also feature. Lightly raced after just three starts the pick vastly improved on his first two runs, both of which he needed, to find just the one too good on his latest. This race looks easier and this top yard should have him heading in the right direction from now on. Duty Free is rated 113 and ran well in handicap company last time. He doesn't always find a great deal in the finish but he is a live contender in this line-up. Wicked Streak slightly improved in two bumper runs last year and again in a couple of runs again in that sphere this term. He's proved he's consistent and wouldn't have to find a great deal more to win on his hurdles bow. Ace High Blue should be in the mix on the pick of his form but might be exposed in this company which leaves Flichly as a solid pick.
Ace High Blue (IRE) 15-8 (11-7) Held up in 5th, blundered 10th, no chance after, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Michigan Assassin (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun, 5 ran.
Balwyllo (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Noble Scholar (11-10) at Hexham 2m NH flat (6) gs in Jun.
Bold Exit (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Not fluent, always in rear, pushed along 3rd, tailed off 6th, 11th of 12, well behind Express Leader (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Duty Free (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened approaching last, 6th of 9, 8l behind Wikaala (11-4) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Flichity (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in rear, not fluent, hampered after 2nd, headway when not much room on inside 2 out, switched right flat, ran on, nearest finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Clear Sailing (11-5) at Worcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Tek A Deek 100-1 (10-12) Led 6f, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Knockara Beau (11-9) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gd in May '08.
Rebel Swing 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, challenged 3 out to next, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 7, 27l behind Weetfromthechaff (10-9) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Grethel (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Basford Lass (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun, 12 ran.
Miss Markham (IRE) 150-1 (10-0) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway when jumped right 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Heron Bay (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Le Petit Vigier 200-1 (10-10) In touch until ridden and weakened after 6th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Alpine Breeze (10-10) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun, 14 ran.
Wicked Streak (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, led 5f out, headed just over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Black Annie (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (5) gf in Jun.
