led, not fluent 2nd, pushed along and strongly pressed before last, kept on but hung right closing stages, headed on line
tracked leaders, ridden and left behind after 2 out, plugged on one pace
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, soon beaten
mid-division, effort and headway to go prominent before 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed leader before last, stayed on well to lead on line
in rear, ridden and well behind from 3 out
prominent, mistake 4th, lost place and struggling after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, ridden after 5th, lost touch and pulled up before 3 out
Iontach Cheval has had a break since disappointing at Ludlow in December but has probably been waiting for better ground. HERMES BOY is back in novice company after only finishing fourth on his handicap debut at Sandown. He beat a subsequent winner earlier at Exeter and can get his head back in front, though Abegudsam will have learned plenty from his third at Uttoxeter. Jubilee Express and Lighthouse Mill are both having a first run over hurdles.
Hermes Boy (FR) 3-1fav (10-5) Chased leaders on inside, awkward 4th, pushed along after 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Hydroplane (10-2) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Iontach Cheval 11-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 34 1/4l behind Balco Coastal (11-5) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Abegudsam (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Held up, made headway before 3 out, ridden and outpaced at 2 out, kept on after last hurdle, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Grey Skies (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gd in Jan.
Jubilee Express (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Mostly chased leader, green on bend after about 2f, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 18 1/2l behind Sporting Ace (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (5) sft in Feb.
Lighthouse Mill (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Led to 3 & 5-8; chsd wnr 3 out; kpt on wl flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Transition Period (12-0) at Wadebridge 3m mdn sft in Jan.
Monty's Mission (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Rear mid-division, ridden before 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before last, at Chepstow 2m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Nibbzzy Phenomena M out of Chicago Alley.
