held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 2 out, left in lead after last, headed towards finish, kept on
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed after 2 out, soon ridden, left in lead last, soon badly hampered and headed, kept on to regain lead towards finish, all out
held up mid-division, jumped slowly 2nd, weakened 3 out
in touch, good headway approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, soon clear, blundered and unseated rider last
always behind, weakened 3 out
led, not fluent 1st, soon headed, tracked leader, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, pushed along after 4th, reminders and mistake 3 out, kept on from 2 out
held up mid-division, keen, lost place 4 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, hit 3rd, headway 4 out, ridden after next, outpaced 2 out
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
Merigo - winner of a maiden point-to-point at Downhills in March - has been found another weak race in which to make his debut under rules and is fancied to see off the challenges of Hugs Destiny, Archirondel and fellow hurdling debutante Trew Flight. The last named makes the long journey up from Newmarket as the solitary representative of Mark Tompkins. He holds modest form on the Flat but would only need to have schooled well to figure in this company. Archirondel has been kept busy on the level since he was last seen over timber and is capable of making his presence known at this level. He has at least proved he can stay this trip and looks set for a leading role here. Hugs Destiny is also respected, as he has been consistent when asked to take his chance in this sphere. He was not beaten far in a two-mile handicap at Catterick earlier in the month and is in with a major shout if the hurdles don't get in his way. However, Merigo holds enough potential to be a force in such a weak contest and he is fancied to take this next step of his education in his stride.
Archirondel 14-1 (11-2) Behind, lost touch 6th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Zanjeer (10-13) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Dec '04, 14 ran.
Dalkeys Lad 100-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 6th of 18, 15l behind Arresting (11-2) at Perth 2m hcp hdl (5) gs.
Hugs Destiny (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Behind, headway before 3 out, soon ridden and no chance after, 14th of 17, 35l behind Caesarean Hunter (10-7) at Doncaster 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gd in Dec.
My Best Secret 20-1 (10-13) Led, headed 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, well behind Only Millie (10-9) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gf.
Nigwell Forbees (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden, lost place 4 out, no danger after, 6th of 10, 45l behind Kiwijimbo (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Spirit Guide (FR) 100-1 (10-10) Not fluent, always behind and keen, tailed off 3 out, last of 14, well behind Double Vodka (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Flashy Filly 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, 8th of 14, 41l behind Cinema (10-7) at Perth 2m hdl (4) gs.
Merigo (FR) 3-1fav (11-7) Chsd ldrs; led 3 out; hrd prsd last; hdd nr fin, 2nd of 12, nk behind Native Alibi (12-0) at Mosshouses 3m ptp gd.
