mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, 3rd and held when mistake last
always towards rear
in touch, joined leaders after 6th, led 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on, driven out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
with leader until mistake 4th, gradually faded, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway after 6th to chase leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
led until 3rd, prominent, led 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace after
mistake 3rd, always behind, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance from 3 out, kept on well close home
behind, some headway 7th, soon ridden, no further impression
prominent, led 3rd until after 7th, still with leader when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, headway 5th, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, lost position and ridden 5th, headway to join leaders approaching 3 out, one pace from next
In this novices' hurdle, we will side with Border Castle ahead of Malaga Boy, Wellpict One and, possibly, Lorrelini. Border Castle made a very pleasing hurdling debut at Haydock and this formerly-decent Flat runner has to be seriously considered in a routine affair. Barathea Blue has been disappointing so far in two hurdle outings and his stable is out of sorts while, from the same stable, Irish point-to-point winner, Happy Shopper, warrants a mention. Malaga Boy's form rates in the low 100s, which is not exceptional but is good enough to gain him consideration here, and Lorrelini certainly attracts some interest on her Flat pedigree. The Sawyer's bumper form is solid enough, but Tuesday Club has yet to live up to a fair pedigree. Wee Anthony is related to winners and might go well, while Wellpict One may well have met a pretty decent one at Chepstow last time and gets all due respect in what seems, overall, to be a run-of-the-mill heat. Finally, from a good yard, Spring Junior warrants a mention but, for the selection, Border Castle gets a decent shout.
Border Castle 10-1 (10-12) With leaders, led last, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) sft beating Dhehdaah (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 19 ran.
Malaga Boy (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden and headed after last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Diamond Cutter (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in May.
Alright Now M'Lad (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6th, soon ridden, weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Menchikov (11-0) at Ludlow 2m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Barathea Blue 5-1 (11-2) Soon with leader, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Biscar Two (11-2) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) hvy.
Dare Too Dream 16-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden from 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 16, well behind Galteemountain Boy (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) sft.
Happy Shopper (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) With leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 11, 24l behind Inaro (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) sft.
Lorrelini (IRE) Among Men colt out of Well Able.
Negociant (FR) 10-1 (10-3) 3rd of 12, 18l behind Sabre D'argent (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl sft in Jun.
Nietzsche (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, 12th of 14, 12l behind Fabrian (8-8) at Chepstow 1m hcp (5) gf in Jun (Flat).
Spring Junior (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Prominent, every chance approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, 4th of 11, well behind Nippy Des Mottes (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
The Gerry Man (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Behind, not fluent 5th and 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Mister Quasimodo (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
The Sawyer (BEL) 9-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Heraldry (11-6) at Towcester 2m nhf (H) sft in Nov.
Tuesday Club (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, 17th of 21, well behind Nous Voila (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Wee Anthony (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up rear, headway when not fluent 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 13, 37l behind In Accord (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy.
Wellpict One (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Keen, led after 3rd, ran green after 4th, headed after 7th, soon one pace, 2nd of 9, 21l behind Gungadu (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Whatcanisay 50-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders until after 2nd, weakened approaching 4th, 7th of 11, well behind Inaro (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) sft.
Four In Hand 4-1 (11-9) fell in race won by Pirandello Due (12-0) at Chipley Park 3m ptp gd in Feb, 15 ran.
Our Girl Kaz (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Always behind, 11th of 15, 27l behind Briscoe Place (11-4) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Sept.
