led, headed after 3rd, remained prominent until weakened 2 out
tracked lead, led after 3rd, headed after last, no extra
towards rear, headway and effort after 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, weakened after 2 out
in touch, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, outpaced after 2 out
tracked leaders, headway to lead after last, held on well towards finish
towards rear, headway and prominent 2 out, no extra final 2f
towards rear, struggling halfway
towards rear, headway and effort 2 out, stayed on to take remote 3rd flat
always behind
raced wide, mid-division, headway and effort last, one pace under pressure flat
held up in touch, headway to chase winner after, every chance before last, no extra towards finish
Ignotus gets the vote in this garde 2 novice hurdle with Scriptwriter and Pagan Starprincess rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Best Prospect before being disqualified. The first two were well clear there and although stepping ip in grade he is unexposed and he is taken to win again. Scriptwriter rates the main danger on his latest third behind Paco but he has already hinted he would be suited by a longer trip and is taken on with this in mind. Pagan Starprincess is another that could go well on her latest second behind Serebad but she found less than expected off the bridal on that occasion and again looks vulnerable. Mudawin was the winner of the 2006 Ebor and is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut so he should be watched in the market but the suspicion is he will need a longer trip in time. Osako D'airy will find this easier than when fifth behind Katchit last time while Mr Crystal is improving with each run and is another that could go well if his jumping does not let him down but Ignotus sets a fair standard and gets our vote.
Osako D'airy (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened quickly before next, 5th of 6, 42l behind Katchit (11-6) at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Quicuyo (GER) 10-3 (12-3) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed next, led again last, headed and no extra flat, 4th of 15, 5l behind Frank Crow (11-3) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Frank Crow 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 2 out, led flat, kept on well, won at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Skipping Chapel (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Cassius (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, lost touch from 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by La Vecchia Scuola (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb, 15 ran.
Description (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Led, headed 4 out, led again next, blundered 2 out, headed last, kept on, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Frank Crow (11-3) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
High Stand Lad 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, ridden, weakened next, 9th of 16, 21l behind Pilca (10-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Ignotus 7-4fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led 6th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on under pressure from last, won at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb beating Best Prospect (11-3) by 1 1/2l. Later dsq to last, 15 ran.
King In Waiting (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Held up and behind, headway when hit 3 out, soon driven along, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 8, 13l behind Superior Wisdom (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Mudawin (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) In rear, ridden 5f out, no real impression, 21st of 33, 31l behind Leg Spinner (8-11) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gs in Oct (Flat).
Scriptwriter (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Mid-division, headway after 5th, went 3rd approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, 3rd of 19, 10l behind Pasco (11-9) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Double Runner 150-1 (10-9) Always behind, ridden and lost place 6th, soon beaten, 11th of 13, well behind Rosie All Over (11-8) at Kelso 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
La Vecchia Scuola (IRE) 10-3 (10-6) Mid-division, smooth headway 8th, led approaching 3 out, soon ridden and kept on, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb beating Laborec (11-10) by 2l, 15 ran.
Pagan Starprincess 14-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, every chance approaching 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Serabad (11-4) at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Mr Crystal (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) In touch, led 3 out, clear approaching next, ridden and headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind La Vecchia Scuola (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
