led, headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten
in touch, took closer order 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold in rear, smooth headway approaching 7th, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon clear, readily
chased leaders, hit 5th, led briefly approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on but no chance with winner
mid-division until 6th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before last
towards rear, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace after
held up and always behind
prominent, ridden after 6th, weakening when hit next, tailed off
prominent until 7th, soon well behind
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace
held up behind, stayed on from 3 out, hit last, never nearer
Bannow Strand, Mister Mustard and Hathlen look the three to concentrate on in this maiden hurdle and the confident vote is given to Bannow Strand. The selection hails from a top yard and is held in very high regard and the fact that he made his debut in a grade two race in which he would have been well beaten had he not taken a heavy fall tells us how good they thinks he is this looks easier and he need only put in a clear round to score. Mistar Mustard rates the main danger on his latest second behind Jacks Lad but this longer trip is not sure to suit and for that reason he is opposed. Hathlen is another worthy of respect on his latest third behind Redi but he will need to improve on that to win this. Of the remainder Dickie Deadeye was a fair sort on the flat but he will need to improve his jumping if he is to trouble the judge and for the winner we return to Bannow Strand.
Bannow Strand (IRE) 7-1 Took keen hold, tracked leader, close 3rd when fell 3 out in race won by Brewster at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec, 8 ran.
Dickie Deadeye 10-1 Raced wide, held up, blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 1st, jumped soundly after, tailed off before 2 out, 11th of 13, well behind Jair Ohmsford at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Mister Mustard (IRE) 2-1fav Led, ridden after 3 out, not fluent last, headed and not quicken flat, 2nd of 13, nk behind Jack's Lad at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Mon Mome (FR) 5-1 Prominent, mistake 8th, chased leading pair after next, soon weakened under pressure, 6th of 16, 22l behind Victom's Chance at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gs in Feb.
Safe Oasis 25-1 Held up, hard ridden and no impression final 3f, 10th of 14, 16l behind Royal Stardust at Lingfield 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb.
The Kirk (NZ) 100-1 Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 46l behind Cerium at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Feb.
St Vita (FR) 10-1 In touch, outpaced before 3 out, left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Fille D'honfleur at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Hathlen (IRE) 8-1 Close up, good headway to track leaders when mistake 2 out, one pace before last, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Redi at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gd in Feb.
