tracked leaders, effort 3 out, weakened between last 2
towards rear, outpaced after 4 out, kept on one pace from between last 2, not reach leaders
mid-division, headway halfway, slightly hampered when weakening 4 out
held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, led after last, headed towards finish, no extra
tracked leaders, hampered 4 out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, pushed along next, effort flat, one pace under pressure
in touch, slightly hampered 4 out, effort next, weakened approaching last
mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, kept on one pace flat, no impression on leaders
towards rear, headway when hampered 4 out, soon chasing leaders, ridden approaching last, stayed on well flat to lead near finish
pulled hard, led 2nd to 4th, in touch when fell 4 out
mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out
in touch until ridden and weakened 4 out
in touch until ridden and weakened 3 out
towards rear, never dangerous
Kiwijimbo can make light of his penalty, with Timbuktu, Hush Tiger and Lethem Air seen as his main rivals. Kiwijimbo has by all accounts been difficult to train, but any problems look to have been put firmly to rest judged on his fluent win at Perth six days ago. The gelding went on two out and drew right away for a convincing success despite the soft ground, after which trainer Alistair Whillans stated that he would give him a break until the autumn. So, the fact that he instead turns the six-year-old out under a 7lb penalty could be a tip in itself, and with the slightly better ground to his advantage as well, a follow-up under Richie McGrath is very much on the cards. Timbuktu seemed to respond to first-time blinkers when second in a poor selling contest at Hexham 11 days ago, and a bigger danger may be Hush Tiger, second in a better race on that same card, but he probably needs further than two miles. Lethem Air is yet another that turned out at that Hexham meeting, finishing third under a penalty in a novices' hurdle. He has topweight here and will struggle to give 8lb to Kiwijimbo who is the one to beat.
Lethem Air 7-1 (11-3) Prominent, led 3rd, headed 3 out, every chance next, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Harry Flashman (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Ballyhurry (USA) 20-1 (10-5) Held up, ridden, some headway from 4 out, no impression, 7th of 14, 27l behind Sun King (9-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Hush Tiger 5-2 (11-0) Led 3rd, chased winner until outpaced approaching 2 out, rallied to chase winner again approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind American President (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Topwell 28-1 (11-2) Never a factor, 6th of 13, 16l behind Dune Raider (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Kiwijimbo (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, smooth headway on inside after 4 out, led before 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating Fearless Foursome (11-1) by 8l, 10 ran.
Skiddaw Jones 9-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden approaching 2f out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Crathorne (11-5) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Timbuktu 8-1 (11-2) Led, headed last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Bargain Hunt (10-12) at Hexham 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Bargain Hunt (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway halfway, led last, ridden out, won at Hexham 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf beating Timbuktu (11-2) by 1l, 10 ran.
