prominent, outpaced before 3 out, headway before last, kept on, never troubled winner
in touch, jumped slowly 3rd, soon tracking leaders, driven to lead after 3 out, headed before next, kept on same pace
held up in touch, chased leaders 6th, led just before 2 out, soon ridden clear
held up in rear, pulled hard early, never dangerous
held up in touch, not jumped well throughout, weakened before 4 out
led, headed after 3 out, soon rallied, weakened before last
The top three in the weights have the best chances in this novice hurdle and with BLACK JACARI holding slightly the best fast ground form we side with Alan King's runner ahead of Consulate and Sacrilege. Earlier in his career the pick was a bit of a near-miss merchant but he put all that behind him with an easy course and distance success in June. His last run over a longer trip at Market Rasen confirms his well being and back at this trip looks the one to beat with conditions in his favour. Consulate was highly rated on the level in Ireland and has already shown he is adept in this sphere by winning a similar event over a sharper test on his penultimate start. He does handle quick ground but with his best coming when there is some cut present he's overlooked this time. Sacrilege comes into this in good heart having landed a similar race last time out in good fashion, however, with his best also coming when there is some give in the ground we turn to Black Jacari with the others making little appeal.
Consulate (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, steady headway 6th, poor 4th, driven, struggling soon after 3 out, 4th of 10, 30l behind Corum (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Black Jacari (IRE) 2-1fav (11-3) Chased leader, led approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Dead Or Alive (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Sacrilege 1-4fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, challenged when not fluent 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs beating Pelennor (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Shake On It 66-1 (10-8) Pulled hard, held up in rear, headway to track leaders 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 11, 36l behind Nordwind (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4yo mdn stks (4) gs in Mar.
Musashi (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, soon prominent, chased winner halfway, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final 2f, 5th of 15, 11l behind Diktalina (8-4) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd in Jul (flat).
William Hogarth 8-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, under pressure and lost place 5 out, soo tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Walamo (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Princely Hero (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 5th, outpaced 2 out, went modest 3rd last, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Mission Control (10-12) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Jul.
