tracked leaders, ridden to lead after 2 out, ran on
led until 3 out, soon ridden, weakened
tracked leaders, led to 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, not fluent left, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
mid-division until weakened after 5th
took keen hold in rear, steady headway from 4th, pressed leaders from 3 out, ridden and every chance when hit last, no extra
always behind, lost touch on 5th
always towards rear, tailed off from 5th
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden next, one pace
tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, tailed off from 5th
Boychuk gets the call here, with Saltango and Billyandi rated as his main dangers. Boychuk has looked progressive and talented in winning his last two starts, one of them over course and distance, suggesting that he could prove tough to beat here from an in-form yard, and despite the steadier of his penalties. Much as he did not progress as hoped for from his Towcester bumper win, Billyandi showed enough to suggest that he can win over hurdles and, in what is overall a modest race, could go well. However, Saltango showed enough when placed in three novice events last November/December to suggest that he should be competitive for a place at least today. The well-bred Glide has yet to build on some Flat promise over hurdles, while French Envoy showed promise in two starts in the spring of 2004, but has not been seen since, and In Deep won off a mark of 56 on the Flat in August and might do better at this game in time but, for the winner, we are happy to side with Boychuk.
Boychuk (IRE) 4-11fav (10-12) Raced green, tracked leaders until 4th, led after 5th, quickened clear when challenged 2 out, not fluent last, readily, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (E) frm beating Brown Fox (10-5) by 10l, 8 ran.
Billyandi (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, pulled hard, weakening when hit 7th, soon tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Cruzspiel (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gd, 6 ran.
French Envoy (FR) 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway halfway, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 19, 8l behind Bonny Grey (10-10) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gs in Apr '04.
Glide 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened halfway, 12th of 16, 46l behind Rimsky (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) gs.
Norman's Glories 9-2 (11-0) Raced keenly in touch, went badly right 6th, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Cantgeton (11-6) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gs in Aug, 9 ran.
Saltango (GER) 4-5fav (10-12) In touch, headway 4th, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed and hit 2 out, switched right approaching last, stayed on, 3rd of 21, 2 1/2l behind Serpentine Rock (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
Stark Raven 14-1 (11-2) Prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened quickly, 8th of 13, 12l behind Glasker Mill (11-2) at Kempton 2m nhf (H) sft in Feb.
Daisy Dale 66-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway 5th, hampered and weakening 2 out, 7th of 15, 14l behind Davy's Luck (10-5) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf.
In Deep 50-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, headway approaching 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, left poor 4th next, 4th of 11, well behind Countess Point (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Rude Health 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 12, 37l behind Martha's Kinsman (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Mar.
Spud's Fancy 150-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by The Cool Guy (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gs, 12 ran.
Life Estates 50-1 (10-7) Held up and always towards rear, 6th of 8, 34l behind Boychuk (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (E) frm.
