tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden to challenge and every chance 2 out, kept on and held near finish
tracked leader, led 4th, pressed and edged badly left before last, kept on and held on towards finish
led to 4th and hung mainly right, tracked winner until quickly weakened from 2 out
in rear, went 4th from 2 out, in 3rd from 2 out, no impression
in touch in 4th, blundered 4 out, soon weakened
Very surprising to see a couple of leading yards venture this far north for the opening juvenile hurdle of the season but Brian Ellison is taken to keep the prize in the north courtesy of BOWBAN. He hasn't been seen since February when finishing a good second in an ordinary Newcastle maiden, having also placed in his two other all-weather maidens. Hopefully he will take to this new discipline. Alan King's City Dreamer ran his best race on the level last time when staying on into fifth in a Nottingham handicap and the yard do exceptionally well in this sphere. He's a leading contender. Hot Lick has one piece of Flat form worthy of consideration and represents the in-form Skelton team. The remaining three will need to be invigorated by this move to timber to play a part if their Flat form is anything to go by.
City Dreamer (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 5th of 11, 3l behind Nathan Mayer (9-1) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in May.
Costa Percy 12-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 18 3/4l behind Cray (9-7) at Wetherby 1m 6f hcp (5) gd in May.
Hot Lick 25-1 (8-11) Keen, close up, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 12 3/4l behind Mirzam (9-7) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in May.
Parkwarden (IRE) 66-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, 15 1/4l behind Rita's Man (9-9) at Redcar 1m hcp (6) gf in May.
Born To Boogie 20-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, held up, raced wide, under pressure halfway, never dangerous, last of 9, 31 1/4l behind Mimic's Memory (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in May.
Bowban 9-4jfav (9-5) Led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, in 3rd and one pace when left 2nd place last 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Excel Again (9-5) at Newcastle 1m mdn stks (4) pol in Feb.
