held up in rear, well beaten 3 out
held up in rear, stayed on from 3 out, not fluent 2 out, went 4th towards finish
chased winner, no impression when slow 3 out, lost 2nd after next, kept on same pace
chased leaders, jumped badly left, mistake 5th, struggling when baulked 3 out, well beaten when mistake next
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, closed next, pressing for 2nd after 3 out, no impression on winner, 4th and no extra last, lost 4th towards finish
held up in mid-division, hampered 3 out, never dangerous
made all, clear 3 out, unchallenged, very easily
held up towards rear, took keen hold, mistake 3rd, pushed along after 5th, well beaten 3 out
held up in mid-division, mistake 2nd, lost place and not fluent 4th, mistake 3 out, went 6th next, no impression
mid-division, headway 3 out, went 2nd from 2 out, no chance with winner, not fluent last, kept on
The question is if to put a line through the disappointing hurdling debut of Le Bateau, beaten 35 lengths when sent off at 6/4 last time. Nicely progressive previously in bumpers, it's reasonable to assume he will prove far better here, especially with his yard in currently outstanding form. The ability of the Dr Newland team to improve new recruits to the yard is well documented but WICKED WEST (NAP) already appeals as having produced a level of form in maiden/novice hurdles to go close here and is preferred. Fox's Socks is interesting on return from a long absence and both Prime Pretender and Groom D'oudairies are expected to improve on runs to date.
Fox's Socks (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, some headway 3f out, ran on well inside final furlong, went 2nd last stride, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Stokes (11-2) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f (5) pol in Feb.
Groom D'Oudairies (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, stayed on same pace final 3f, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Exmoor Express (10-13) at Chepstow 2m (5) gd in Apr.
King's Counsel 20-1 (9-12) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 18 3/4l behind Gold Arch (9-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Jun.
Le Bateau 7-4fav (11-4) Raced keenly in front, headed 3 out, pushed in 3rd after 2 out, well behind when bad mistake last, kept going, 6th of 11, 35 1/4l behind Sayadam (10-12) at Warwick 2m mdn (4) sft in May.
Malvolio (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, slow 4 out, soon ridden and lost touch, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Tinnahalla (10-13) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Prime Pretender 25-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear on outside, headway from 5th, close up 3 out, no extra in 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Equus Dancer (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) gs in May.
Vocal Duke (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along when mistake and dropped to 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and no impression on leaders, 3rd of 14, 6 3/4l behind Kapard (11-2) at Roscommon 2m mdn gd in Sep.
Wicked West (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden and no extra in 4th between last 2, 4th of 13, 16l behind Pawpaw (10-12) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Party Potential (USA) 28-1 (10-10) Raced wide pressed winner until 5th, ridden next, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out, at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gd in Aug.
Burrows Treat (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, not fluent 2nd, closed on outside before 4th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 2m mdn (4) gs in May.
Chantilly Haze 20-1 (11-0) Jumped slightly right, raced in last, closed after 3 out, chased winner when landed awkwardly 3 out, well held next, 2nd of 4, 9 1/2l behind Lilly Pedlar (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) gs in May.
Gibraltarian (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, pushed along 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 8th of 14, 33 3/4l behind Yauthym (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gd in May.
