mid-division, ridden 8th, soon weakened
in touch, ridden 4 out, soon outpaced
with leader, led 4th to 9th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 6th, soon tailed off
behind, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, led 9th, ridden clear 2 out, easily
held up, headway after 6th, ridden next, weakened 3 out
mid-division, lost place 6th, kept on from 2 out
led to 4th, weakened 8th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, kept on
towards rear headway 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
in touch, ridden and lost place 7th, tailed off and pulled up after 9th
mistake 1st, always behind, tailed off and pulled up after 9th
towards rear, headway 6th, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 8th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, soon onepaced
A typically competitive qualifier for the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle at the Festival meeting with plenty of the 16-strong field holding claims. Martin Pipe saddles three with French import Kerrigand, a half length second to Kimberley (the pair clear) at Uttoxeter a week ago off a 6lb lower mark, the pick of his trio over topweight Galant Moss and Guard Duty. Malcolm Jefferson's Moss Harvey reverts to hurdling after a spell over fences but is difficult to recommend off his current mark, as is the Venetia Williams-trained Effectual who has struggled this term. Haydens Field was pulled up on his handicap debut last time after winning four novice hurdles and is probably best watched along with Jonjo O'Neill's Time N Tide, a good winner at Doncaster last month but now racing off a higher mark and a longer trip that is not likely to suit. Ferdy Murphy's Tribal Venture looks harshly treated on his handicap debut off a mark of 120 judged by his narrow defeat of The Lyme Volunteer (well held off a mark of 110 since) at Ascot and, on a line through Tees Components, Royal Emperor should have his beating. Admittedly Sue Smith's gelding was flattered by his proximity to Mary Reveley's son of Risk Me but faced no easy task in giving him 10lbs at Newcastle in November. A winner at Wetherby since, the son of Roselier has gone up another 9lbs in the weights but, with trip and ground to suit, he could well win again.
