chased leaders until ridden and weakened 7th, tailed off
led, ridden and headed 3 out, hanging left, weakened after 2 out
behind, ridden along 4th, effort after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
always in touch, chased leader from 7th, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, soon headed, weakened
chased leader to 5th, weakened after 6th, tailed off
held up, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when hit last
held up in touch, headway to chase leader 6th, ridden along and outpaced 3 out, rallied 2 out, led after last, driven out
In the opener, Rimsky gets the call ahead of Patrixprial, Massini's Maguire and Biscar Two. A good-class bumper performer, Rimsky got his hurdling career off to a flying start here last time. Ok, this is tougher, but he is the type to progress and should run well over a trip that should suit. Patrixprial proved himself a decent novice last season and, fit from the Flat, should win races this year, while Irish import Massini's Maguire is an interesting runner from the in-form Philip Hobbs stable. Gungadu is probably best watched on his Rules bow but Biscar Two, second in a Grade 2 event on heavy going here last season and then ninth in the Triumph Hurdle, is respected, although the selection, Rimsky, might just have the fitness edge.
Biscar Two (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Behind, some headway under pressure approaching last but no chance, 9th of 23, 23l behind Penzance (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Gungadu (11-7) 3rd of 13, 8l behind King Killone (11-7) at Lemonfield 3m ptp gd in Mar '04.
Letsplay (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Never near leaders, 5th of 15, 26l behind Buena Vista (11-3) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (C) gf in Jun.
Massini's Maguire (IRE) 1-2fav (11-4) Made all, raced wide, ridden and went clear from before straight, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 2f nhf gs in May beating The Looney Bishop (11-0) by 12l, 8 ran.
Mokum (FR) 9-2 (10-10) Led to before 3rd, stayed close up until outpaced after 5th, headway under pressure before last, kept on run-in, 5th of 8, 8l behind Redi (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gd in Feb.
Patrixprial 11-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway to join leaders 4th, ridden and every chance 2 out, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Salut Saint Cloud (10-12) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec.
Rimsky (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Led, headed 2nd, mistake 3rd, ridden 3 out, led and mistake 2 out, headed last, rallied and led close home, won at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) gs beating Desert Quest (10-12) by 1l, 16 ran.
