held up in rear, headway after 5th, disputed 2nd 3 out, one pace and beaten approaching last
led, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra last
took keen hold, held up, some headway 3 out, soon beaten, behind when badly hampered and unseated rider last, remounted
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, pulled hard, headway after 2nd, lost place 4th, tailed off
chased leaders, driven along from 3 out, kept on same pace 2 out
behind from 4th, tailed off when pullled up before last
held up in rear, effort 3 out, beaten when not fluent 2 out, soon hung right, jumped badly left last
chased leader until ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway from 3 out, soon ridden, beaten after 2 out, mistake last
took keen hold, steadied in rear, never dangerous
held up in mid-division, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led on bit 2 out, ran on strongly to draw clear flat
always behind, tailed off when mistake 2 out
chased leaders, lost place after 5th, hung left and weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 4th, steady headway from 3 out, went 2nd and blundered last, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, driven along from 3 out, weakened between last 2
Kalahari King, a springer in the market for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle is our choice with Rippling Ring and Gloucester selected as the alternatives. Kalahari King stepped up from his UK debut when dropped back to 2M and justifing favourtism when landing what appeared a weak Musselburgh novice hurdle. Cheltenham ambitions appear slightly optimistic on what we have seen but vibes have been that there is more to come. Rippling Ring is a South African import for which the Ditcheat dogs have been barking in recent weeks. Conditions are likely to suit but he is likely to be up against it with the experienced Kalahari King. The market should prove the best guide with the Paul Nicholls trained inmate. Gloucester was disappointing on the all-weather recently but a re-production of his most recent appearence over hurdles behind Domino Dancer would see him involved. The third from that event, Halla San, won an above average Musselburgh novice hurdle since, a race that many shrewd form experts admired. Should value exist each way, Gloucester should be considered. Luna Landing chased home the selection on his most recent start, making a mokery of his starting odds. If he can step up again he should be playing for minor honours. Kalahari King is our selection.
Kalahari King (FR) 13-8fav (11-0) Mid-division, smooth headway to join leaders 3 out, led next, shaken up approaching last, soon drew clear, comfortably, won at Musselburgh 2m hdl (2) gs in Dec beating Luna Landing (11-0) by 6l, 10 ran.
Kingscourt Lad (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Led and soon clear, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 10th of 18, 33l behind Albinus (10-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Colton 20-1 (11-0) Led, soon clear, headed 3 out, gradually faded, 8th of 18, 30l behind Pasco (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Dancing Partner (USA) 14-1 (11-3) Held up and not fluent, some headway after 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 23l behind Zeitgeist (11-6) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan '06.
Feelin Irie (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, led over 2f out until headed just over 1f out, weakened rapidly final furlong, 10th of 14, 6l behind Quantum Leap (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct (Flat).
Final Veto 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, beaten when stumbled and unseated rider in race won by Starting Point (11-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
Foursquare Flyer (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) In touch, weakened after 4 out, blundered next and pulled up 2 out in race won by Striking Article (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 17 ran.
Gloucester 11-4 (11-6) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders approaching next, kept on from last, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Domino Dancer (10-7) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Island Key (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, hampered 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 18, 6l behind Albinus (10-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Our Choice (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, chased leaders 2 out, soon under pressure, one pace, 7th of 15, 11l behind Pagano (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Peau Aime (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, every chance 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out, 13th of 18, 26l behind Prince Taime (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Rippling Ring (SAF) 8-1 (8-2) Only weakened late, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Pick Six (8-2) at Turffontein 1m 2f Grp 1 gd in May (Flat).
Roving Bob (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Disputed lead until weakened 4f out, 11th of 14, 44l behind Award Winner (10-13) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Torksey Lock 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7f out, lost place over 4f out, 12th of 19, well behind Charity Lane (10-4) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Veloso (FR) 3-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 2f, driven over 1f, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Nov beating Speagle (9-2) by 1l, 12 ran (Flat).
Russian Invader (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, weakened approaching 2 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Lemon Silk (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Dec, 6 ran.
Luna Landing 66-1 (11-0) Led, headed 4 out, still every chance 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Kalahari King (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hdl (2) gs in Dec.
