in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4th to chase leading pair, left poor 2nd last
tracked leaders, led approaching 2nd, headed next, ridden 3 out, held by winner and unseated rider last
always in the rear
always in the rear
prominent, led 3rd, driven 3 out, clear last, ran on
towards rear, headway after 4th, soon no impression
always in rear
in touch, ridden after 4th, kept on one pace
led, headed approaching 2nd, weakened 5th, jumped left 3 out
Master Wells would be interesting on the pick of his form however he is not a safe betting proposition and narrow preference is for FADE TO GREY although not without more than a moments worry. Backing a horse that fell last time is always a gamble, but Vic Dartnall's gelding looked as if he had the measure of his rival when falling at the last. He appears to stay well so the drop in trip today is negated by the stiff track and the gelding can get off the mark over hurdles. Ministerofinterior represents connections who place their horses well and the four-year-old is a major player. He is dropped in grade today having not been disgraced behind Ray Diamond last time out and if the market agrees then it might be worth taking note. Master Wells was pulled up last time at Fontwell where he was unfancied (28/1). Although he is yet to win in 11 starts over hurdles, he has some fair placed form to his name and has run well at the track in the past. Beau Troubadour travels a fair way from his Cheshire base for this poor race and any market support on his hurdling debut would be interesting. Bernard Llewellyn's pair of Leprechaun's gold and Benayoun are not to be wholly discounted, but it is Fade To Grey who can light up the opener.
Beau Troubadour (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 23l behind Meridian City (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Benayoun 8-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden to chase leader 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 10, 23l behind Kofi (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gs in Apr.
Fade To Grey (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up and keen, headway approaching 4 out, led 2 out, challenged when fell at the last in race won by L'Eau Du Nil (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Hobby Horse 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 5f out, 10th of 11, 39l behind Pepe Simo (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Leprechaun's Gold (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Towards rear, headway after 7th, weakened next, 11th of 17, well behind Speedy Directa (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
Master Wells (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Wise Men Say (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
One Upmanship 13-2 (10-10) Mid-division, headway after 5th, mistake 6th, weakening when mistake 2 out, 8th of 13, 36l behind La Lambertine (10-10) at Taunton 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (G) gd in Nov '04.
Anabaa's Secret (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, driven and weakened approaching last, 12th of 15, well behind Emotive (11-2) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.
Ministerofinterior 66-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, mistake 2nd and 5th, never a factor, 6th of 9, 26l behind Ray Diamond (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Sally Army 40-1 (9-13) In touch, mistake and ridden 7th, well behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Gallileo Figaro (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Watch Out 12-1 (11-1) Always behind, tailed off 8th, 11th of 14, well behind Super Ross (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f sll hdl (5) gd in Feb.
