led, joined 3rd, headed narrowly 3 out, driven and lost place before next, soon outpaced, no chance with front pair
tracked leaders, joined leading pair on inside after 3 out, every chance when not fluent next, ridden and one pace between last 2, no impression with winner from last
tracked leaders, joined leader 3rd, led narrowly 3 out, driven and hard pressed approaching next, ridden clear between last 2, stayed on well
raced keenly, held up behind in touch, chased leaders 3 out, soon outpaced, no chance with fron trio before next, mistake last
in touch when stumbled and unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders, reminder after 5th, soon behind, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
The form of this Listed race rarely works out and this year's renewal also looks a relatively weak affair considering its status. PARLOUR GAMES got nowhere near in the Galway Hurdle last time but had won at Huntingdon and Market Rasen earlier when there was give in the ground. He looks to have the best overall form and can beat the filly Sureness and Wincanton and Stratford winner Chase The Wind. Blue Heron will need to make this a good gallop to make the most of his stamina while Zulu Oscar makes his hurdling debut, though was a decent sort in bumpers. Countersign may be aiming too high.
Chase The Wind (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Led until before 2nd, led 4th, mistake last, comfortably, won at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Rockmount River (10-12) by 6l, 12 ran.
Parlour Games 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 15th when mistake 3 out, no extra, 16th of 20, 29l behind Thomas Edison (10-6) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Blue Heron (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Set steady gallop, ridden and headed after 2 out, 5th and no impression last, plugged on, 5th of 7, 11l behind Garde La Victoire (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Countersign 14-1 (10-12) Too keen hold, soon mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out, effort on outside when wandered approaching next, close up when blundered last, ridden and ran on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Manhattan Swing (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Zulu Oscar 11-4fav (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd going well 3f out, led over 2f out and sent for home, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 2m NH flat (4) std in Feb beating Ourmanmassini (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Sureness (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leader until 7th, chased leaders, rallied on inside 2 out, led between last two, ridden and kept on gamely flat, won at Plumpton 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep beating Kiama Bay (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
